HUNDREDS
of Berbicians, mainly from Tain
and John’s and Clifton
settlements, staged a fiery protest yesterday over
alleged Police involvement in the high incidence
of crime in several Corentyne communities over the
past week.
CROWD
APPEAL: Home Affairs Minister Gail Teixeira, with
loud speaker, address the crowd of protesters at
Tain.
The
protesters, who began gathering along the main
roadway in the vicinity of the Tain koker from as
early as 05:00 h, put burning tyres, derelict
vehicles and a low bed trailer to block the free
flow of traffic.
As
the protest broiled and black smoke billowed, Home
Affairs Minister Gail Teixeira flew to the
Corentyne where she was told of the allegation
that cops from the Quick Reaction Group (QRG) or
`Black Clothes’ squad might have been involved
in robberies that netted bandits millions of
dollars.
Among
the robberies mentioned was one on Wednesday, when
three robbers attacked employees at Edwin
Parsaram’s gasolene station and
escaped with $420,000.
One
report said the telephone at Williamsburg
Police Outpost, less than a mile from the
scene, rang out and there was no response.
Williamsburg
Police Outpost
The
minister was told that suspicions were aroused by
handcuffs, believed to belong to the Police Force,
which were used on the victims’ wrists.
The
demonstrators claimed, too, that, when ranks from
Whim station arrived about half an hour later,
they immediately freed the handcuffed persons and
made no attempt to pursue the robbers.
Shortly
after the gas station heist, three masked, armed
men barged into the business place owned by
Savitri (only name given) at Tain and robbed
overseas-based relatives, who were visiting, of
gold jewellery and a large sum of money including
foreign currency.
Residents
who went to console the family soon after the
attack said Police responded five minutes after
the incident although no one had telephoned to
alert them as no land lines are installed in that
area and the only two subscribers who have
cellular phones denied making any calls.
Another
victim reported that, on Monday evening, three
men, one of whom was masked, forced their way into
her Tain home and carted off $1.4M cash and
$20,000 worth of jewels.
She
said $900,000 of the sum had been saved to buy a
commercial vehicle and, according to the woman,
whilst she was made to lie on the floor, she
observed that the trousers and boots worn by the
bandits bore a resemblance to Police uniform.
The
angry protesting group dismantled two bridges,
some 120 meters from that scene, preventing
commuters, among them students of University of
Guyana Tain Campus and other learning
institutions, workers and spectators bound for the
45th Annual National School Track Second Field,
Cycling and Swimming meet, at Albion Community
Centre, from proceeding to their destinations.
Scores
of buses, cars and other motor vehicles lined the
route in the logjam and fruits vendors did brisk
business with the stranded passengers in the
temperature made hotter by midday sun and the
fires.
The
minister ordered the immediate withdrawal of the
feared ranks, the regular rotation of the Brown
Clothes Tactical Services Unit ranks and began
consulting with an Investigative Committee.
According
to businessman Latchman Cipriani of Anchorville,
residents met on Thursday to address the situation
after the gas station was robbed the night before
and decided to stage peaceful protests to draw
attention to their grievances.
Some
residents who decided to stage a protest from
about 04:30 h, drew a trailer to block the eastern
side of the bridge on the main road, pulled two
old vehicle shells from a nearby dump and began
burning tyres.
Traffic
was at standstill at both sides and when persons
tried using the two foot bridges north and south
of the blocked bridge, the protesters pulled them
down.
Teixeira
arrived at the scene at about 11:25 h, was
assisted to the eastern side through a narrow
passage at the northern side of the bridge
and mounted the trailer to speak and listen to the
angry residents, through a public address system.
She
acknowledged that something was wrong and decided
to set up the Investigative Committee that would
take information and evidence from victims since
residents said they were fearful of going to the
police because they might be the next victim.
The
minister then invited the protesters to the school
nearby to hear more complaints at about 12:15 h
and set up the committee after some wrangling
among residents, with representatives from each
area.
At
14:00 h the protest fire was still roaring fed
with more tyres taken there by a donkey cart and
Teixeira demanded that the bridge be cleared
before any more discussions and sent the committee
members to take action.
The
minister also said that there would be an
amendment to the law to lock up anybody found
harbouring, feeding and clothing criminals.
"I
need your help. We need evidence to prosecute the
corrupt ranks. If witnesses don't turn up in court
the case will be dismissed and the offender will
be on the road again", she said.
The
complainants called for an independent inquiry
into the accusation against the Police and
suggested it be conducted by former Chancellor of
the Judiciary, Justice Cecil Kennard, who hails
from the Corentyne.
Meantime,
they demanded the removal of ranks, some senior,
from Whim Police Station, the return of
Superintendent David Ramnarine who was transferred
from the ‘Ancient County’ in controversial
circumstances and better representation by Members
of Parliament from the region.
Teixeira
apologised for not going to the area since taking
over the portfolio but requested documented
evidence about Police corruption.
She
said, while action would be taken against those
culpable, removing the personnel would open the
gateway for gangs to operate.
Teixeira
reminded the crowd that 600 vacancies
exist within the Police Force and encouraged
suitable persons to apply to fill them.
Teixeira
is a 'jackass'
She
emphasised that her ministry will not condone
corrupt practices and pointed out that 80 ranks
from the Police, Prison and Fire departments are
before the courts on related charges.
Teixeira
urged
that people form groups and make proposals to
combat crime and the 12-member committee was named
for the purpose at a meeting in Port Mourant
Primary School.
Teixeira
is a 'jackass' President Jagdeo did the same
thing.
Saturday,
November 26, 2005