By Samuel Mcknight, newsday.co.tt

WHILE making a brief statement to the media yesterday, Commissioner of Police Trevor Paul sought to allay public fears which may have arisen due to the detention of Yasin Abu Bakr, head of the Jamaat al Muslimeen, and the subsequent raid at the Jamaat compound.

He also promised tight security for tomorrow's World Cup qualifying game between TT's Warriors and Bahrain.

Paul told the public that there is no need to panic, and people should go about their normal business with calmness.

From Police Headquarters yesterday, Paul said, "We saw the need, following his (Bakr's) arrest, to carry out further operations at the Jamaat al Muslimeen compound at number 1 Mucurapo Road."

Paul said the operation started at 4 am yesterday morning and was ongoing. He also confirmed that eight mosques in North, South and Central Trinidad which are affiliated with the Jamaat al Muslimeen were searched simultaneously.

Paul also said the search party had uncovered one sniper rifle with telescope, one hand grenade, four magazines, more than 500 rounds of .56 ammunition, as well as "a quantity of other ammunition made up of 9 mm, .38 and 7.66 calibres."

Paul said the quantity of ammunition and arms found on the compound meant that "it was necessary to do an indepth search of that compound."

He said he hoped the population understood that law enforcement and its supporting agencies — the army and Special Anti-crime Unit — were intent on properly searching the compound to ensure there were no arms and ammunition left at the site.

"The search will continue until we are satisfied that there are no more arms and ammunition."

Police sources at the Jamaat told Newsday they will be there all night and today until Paul is satisfied.

The commissioner said all of the officers would carry out their duties in a serious, firm and professional manner, and requested that the public carry on with their normal duties.

He added that at this time all stations are on a high alert, and while he expected good sense to prevail, his agency is prepared to deal with any issues which should arise.

The confident commissioner also said that security on the whole will be heightened, and special emphasis on the security arrangements will be put in place for tomorrow's match against Bahrain.

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