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Fiery Tain protest over 'rogue' cops
-- Home Affairs Minister flies to region

Ramesh Bess  Mahadeo murdered  Law_and_order TSSquad_disbanded

 


TAIN PROTEST: smoke billows at Tain yesterday.

 

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