2006-02-nieuwsbronnen-engels

He told reporters a high-level Police team has been assembled to investigate the brazen and deadly attacks by men with high-powered and sophisticated weapons in the adjoining villages of Eccles and Agricola, East Bank Demerara.

The investigators, he said, are looking at, among several other things, a possible connection with the drama on Sunday when a trawler and two fibre-glass super-fast escort boats were nabbed by the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard resulting in 11 persons, including a popular businessman, being arrested and detained by the Police.

“We might feel that (Sunday) night’s shooting might have something to do with the seizure of the trawler…it is one of the possible angles, but not the only angle,” the Police Commissioner told a news conference at Police headquarters in Georgetown.

“We are not restricting ourselves to one specific area but it is possible, very possible, that the seizure of the trawler and the arrest of individuals yesterday (Sunday) may have activated the intensity of the environment which we experienced last night (Sunday night)…It just may have.”

Assuring that the investigation into the Sunday night massacre will go as “far and wide as it can go”, Felix said that based on the investigation and the review he had yesterday morning, he was a bit scared to talk about “kidnapping” from the investigations before him. “…and that’s telling you something,” he added.

“We must believe little that we see and nothing that we hear. I don’t want to reveal the investigation as such but based on what was presented here (yesterday) morning, there are certain commonalities which we have discovered and which suggest strongly to us that…what appears to have been a kidnapping might just not be so,” Felix posited.

UNDER CURRENTS TO UNRAVEL

He, however, cautioned that the investigations have not yet been completed.

“What we are trying to do right now is to put the best possible team available under a senior officer from headquarters to lead off the investigations and outside of that, there must be a law enforcement response to armed criminal gangs in this country,” the Police Commissioner declared. He said the nature of the Sunday night attack suggests clearly the need to start the investigation with a team of detectives who will be dedicated to probe the various issues.

“And we should not only deal with it from the top and what appeals to the eye, but there are other under currents which we need to unravel first and, in that regard, the team under a senior officer from headquarters is being assembled to start working as of now,” he added.

Felix also assured that the Police Force “will not stand idly by” and allow criminal gangs to (continue) to terrorise citizens. He also said those who think Sunday night’s incident will not have “a strong law enforcement response should think otherwise”. “That incident was brazen, disrespectful of the law and will not be tolerated in this country.”

Responding to claims that the Police were slow to respond to the attacks and that some cops said they were not adequately compensated and were not prepared to risk their lives in the kind of situation that presented itself Sunday night, Felix said, this was “utter nonsense”.

“I don’t know that any Policeman would say something like that and the Policeman who said something like that is highly irresponsible. Once we all draw pay at month-end, we all have a duty to perform or duties…so what nonsense can a Policeman say that they are not compensated to risk (their) lives.”

“I know that persons called in at various points in time to report shootings in Agricola and I am aware, immediately, that Policemen were summoned from various locations to respond, and they did respond,” Felix defended. “You will not have a magical appearance of Policemen if they are miles away from a scene,” he asserted.

Felix said he was aware that the various patrols around Georgetown and on the East Bank Demerara were “activated to respond” and “they did respond in quick time”. There were unconfirmed reports that the patrols at both Providence and Ruimveldt Police stations said they were not going to move to the scene until there was back-up from patrols in Georgetown.

While noting that discussions will always be ongoing when it comes to better remuneration, the Police Commissioner pointed out that professionalism goes beyond a quarrel for pay. “I am not aware of any such reports or any such incidents occurring at any such locations last night. (In fact) the first location I called, the officer was on his way already from Brickdam and when I called the TSU (Tactical Services Unit), they were actually on the move also,” he pointed out.

“We all recognise that the Police remuneration package could be better. But I am saying clearly that I would not entertain any nonsense from members of the Police Force claiming that they can’t respond…and if it does appear that (those unconfirmed reports) are established, then those members of the Force will be dealt with condignly because it is an act of indiscipline that I will not countenance in this organisation.”

Asked to comment on where the gunmen came from, and in which direction they disappeared after the incident, Felix said: “That is work in progress; that is part of the investigation. Where they came from we can’t be sure. Where they went we can’t be sure but the investigations must take us in that direction.”

READY TO RESPOND

Asked whether he was expecting similar attacks (soon) and whether the Force was capable of responding and handling such attacks, Felix said he was certain the criminal gang(s) “is not crazy to take us on and I hope that they will not be so crazy to take us on”. “We are ready to respond to all criminal conduct of that sort. Maybe the situation would have been different if we had found them there (at the scene).”

What the Police did find at the scene - other than dead bodies – was a large quantity of ammunition (both spent and live) from high-powered weapons. Among these, he said, were one hundred and three 270 x 72 spent shells. Felix pointed out that this is not ammunition that the Force is very familiar with but it “resembles the 7.67 x 39 ammunition and we suspect that it might or may have been used in the M70”.

“All we can say is that it resembles ( the 7.67 x 39) – it is not an ammunition that we are familiar with in terms of its use in a particular firearm because I (personally) have not come across it whether in the Police or in the military,” the Police Commissioner declared. Police also recovered from the scene - four 12-guage cartridges (live), four 22.3 ammunition (live), five 7.62 x 39 ammunition (live) and one .45 bullet (live). Also found at the scene were sixteen 7.62 x 39 spent casing (shells) and sixteen 223 spent casings.

Police were able to retrieve what looked like two M70 or AK47 magazines and seven 7.62 x 39 ammunition from the incident at Third Street or Caesar Street, Agricola, where 31-year-old Lavern Garraway-Scott was brutally killed in front of her six-year-old daughter. A cell phone, a partly burnt black plastic coat, a pair of green army pants, a camouflage bush hat, a green sheet, a multi-coloured hammock, a green army type water bottle, one duffle bag and a pair of black socks were also found at the scene.

At the Brutus Street, Agricola scene, where three persons were killed, including two pensioners said to have been riddled with bullets and then later burnt in a house, the Police found eight 7.62 x 39 spent shells, one .45 bullet (warhead) and some fragments. (Mark Ramotar/Guyana Cronicle)

Gang in deadly rampage

The house at Caesar Street, Agricola home where Lavern Garraway-Scott was brutally killed and her body cremated. (Cullen Bess-Nelson photos)

Among those killed were three Supernumerary Constables attached to a security firm, two pensioners and a senior employee of the Office of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC). The two other persons killed were the operator of an Internet call shop and a young man driving on the road outside the gas station.

Sheldon Smart Loris Semple David Brummel Hanna Cameron

Cecil Duncan Cedric Dummett Lavern Garraway-Scot

Dead are Loris Semple, 33, of #28 Village, West Coast Berbice and 123 Friendship Village, East Coast Demerara; Cedric Dummett, 26, of 8 Public Road Victoria, East Coast Demerara; Sheldon Smartt, 22, of 83 Plum Park, South Sophia; Lavern Garraway-Scott, 31, of Lot 115 Caesar Street, Agricola; David Brummell, 74, of Peter’s Hall; Hannah Cameron, 73, of 40 Brutus Street, Agricola; Otis Rudder, 26, of Lot 1 Republic Road, Bagotstown (and said to be the operator of the Internet shop at Lot 40 Brutus Street, Agricola); and Cecil Duncan, 26, of 143 Da Silva Street, Kitty, Georgetown.

Police and other reports yesterday indicated that around 22:00 h on Sunday, about 15 heavily-armed men attacked the Two Brothers Gas Station at Eccles and in the process shot and killed three Supernumerary Constables attached to the MMC security service.

This partly-burnt basket was in Hannah Cameron’s bedroom where she and David Brummel were murdered Sunday night

Police said the security constables - Semple, Dummett and Smartt - were in motor pick-up - PHH 8405 - taking air at the time at the service station. A company official, however, said they were in a patrol that responded to the attack at the gas station.

The three men died before receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where they were subsequently rushed.

The Police said one Mosberg 12-gauge shotgun and 13 live cartridges were taken away from the ranks by the gunmen. Another shotgun of similar type and 12 cartridges were left behind, Police said.

The Police said based on reports, it is suspected that during the discharge of rounds by the gunmen, “one of the fuel pumps caught afire” which scorched a motor bus, BHH 4747, which was parked in the vicinity. The blaze was extinguished by public spirited citizens and members of the Fire Service.

Eyewitnesses told this newspaper it was sheer pandemonium as the gang of gunmen began shooting indiscriminately. Residents and others said the shooting lasted for at least 20 minutes. One man said he was forced to hide under a bed behind a suitcase of clothes as the barrage of gunshots filled the air.

Witnesses said the men also fired on vehicles passing along the East Bank Demerara main road at the time. Police said Duncan, who was in his motor car, PHH 3829, was shot and died at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

Four other persons in other vehicles were also wounded. They are Jason Thomas of Old Road, Eccles, who was shot in his back, treated at the GPHC and sent away; Simone Savory, 17, and Stacy Chinapen, 21, both of Sheriff Street, who were shot in their chest and, according to the Police, remained in serious condition at Woodlands Hospital; and Basdeo Dalloo, 53, of Herstelling, who was shot in his back. He was up to last night still being treated at the Georgetown Hospital.

One hundred and forty three spent shells, four warheads and 13 live rounds of various calibres were retrieved at the scene by the Police.

SHOT AND BURNT

From all indications and based on various reports, it would seem that some of the gunmen then went to the home of Lavern Garraway-Scott and fired a number of rounds at the house before setting it alight.

The Police said this incident occurred around 23:15 h but other relatives and neighbours said it was much earlier than that.

In full view of her six-year-old daughter, Garraway-Scott was reportedly shot several times about the body before being set alight in her home at 115 Caesar Street, Agricola during a separate but seemingly related incident.

Her husband, David Scott, 40, said he was not at home at the time. Scott, who said he is the owner of the Haururuni Creek Recreational Facilities on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway, told this newspaper he was returning from an “excursion” at his business place when he saw his house “on fire”.

He said his six-year-old daughter, Damali Scott, was with her mother when the incident occurred and “saw everything”. “My daughter was able to tell me everything that happened,” said a distraught Scott.

In an invited comment, Public Relations Officer of the M&CC, Mr Royston King, said Lavern, who had been working at the Office of the Mayor and City Council for a number of years, will be sadly missed.

“She was always committed to her desk, her work and to the council. We all will really, really miss her,” King commented. He said at the time of her demise, Lavern held the position of Assistant Town Clerk in the Office of the Town Clerk.

Reports are that five men armed with guns went up to Garraway-Scott’s home and called out her husband’s name. The gunmen also reportedly shot a padlock on the gate, before storming the premises where they were said to have shot the woman several times and then set her home on fire. Garraway-Scott was burnt beyond recognition in the blaze. Her daughter escaped unhurt.

The Police said 16 spent shells and one live round along with a cell phone, a partly burnt black plastic coat, a pair of green army pants, a camouflage bush hat, a green sheet, a multi-coloured hammock, a green army type water bottle, one duffle bag and a pair of black socks, were found at the scene.

And in another separate (but also seemingly related) incident, gunmen stormed a house at Lot 40 Brutus Street, Agricola where they called out two names, including that of ‘Hannah’ – the 73-year-old occupant of the house.

About 07:30 h yesterday, acting on information received, the Police found the bodies of David Brummell and Hannah Cameron in a Brutus Street, Agricola house while the body of Otis Rudder was found behind the Agricola Primary School (aback the Brutus Street house).

This school and the nearby St Ann’s Primary were closed yesterday, following a meeting between teachers and officials from the Education Ministry.

Police said investigations revealed that a group of men armed with firearms went to the home of Hannah Cameron and enquired for Otis Rudder, who is her grandson.

This chair in the house at 40 Brutus Street, Agricola was completely destroyed by fire

The Police said it is believed that Rudder saw the men approaching and ran away but was pursued by some of the men.

“In apparent retaliation, the men shot Hannah Cameron in her head and David Brummell in his chest as well as cutting his throat. The bodies were then set on fire on a bed in the house,” the Police said yesterday.

When this newspaper visited the scene yesterday, the inside wall of the house was scorched and most of the furniture destroyed by the fire. Window panes were also shattered by the heat and several gunshot holes were evident on the building.

The body of Rudder was subsequently found behind the Agricola Primary School by school children yesterday morning. The body bore several bullet wounds. (Mark Ramotar/Guyana Cronicle)

Pistols missing from GDF bond

Soldiers held

Five soldiers, including a Warrant Officer, were last night in detention in army headquarters, after five pistols were found missing from the storage bond there, a spokesman said. Lt Col Wilbert Lee told the Guyana Chronicle the Police have been called in and are investigating.

He said that following the recent reported theft of ammunition and grenades from an army bunker in neighbouring Suriname, Guyana Defence Force Chief of Staff Brigadier Edward Collins ordered a check of the GDF inventory of arms and ammunition.

The check found that five pistols were missing from the storage bond in Camp Ayanganna and Lee said “we believe others may be missing” from the base in Georgetown. “Checks are ongoing,” he said, adding that the five soldiers detained were the principal staff assigned to the storage bond.

He said Police have visited Camp Ayanganna for the investigations. (Guyana Cronicle)

Gang leader declared: `I want this gas station burnt down now!”

DEADLY ATTACK: Police at the Two Brothers gas station after the killing spree. (Winston Oudkerk photo)

Investigators believe the horrors unleashed at the gas station and the chilling mowing down of security guards responding to a robbery report, was meant to send a clear message to others.

The source said the man who seemed to be leading the gang of some 15 persons who closed in on the gas station was heard to blurt out: “I want this gas station burnt down now.” Others in the gang set the fuel pumps alight and doused gasoline on a mini-bus parked in the compound, also setting it on fire, the source said.

The security guards who died are Loris Semple, 32, of Annandale; Cedric Dummett, 25, of Victoria, also on the East Coast Demerara; and Sheldon Smart, 21, of Plum Park, Sophia, Georgetown. Semple had been employed with the security service for the past three years and the other two just over a year, a company official said yesterday. They were the first employees of the security company to have died under such circumstances, he said.

The official told the Guyana Chronicle the three men were responding to a call from the cashier at the fuel station around 22:00 h, after it came under attack from the heavily-armed gang. He said the gang apparently did not realise the cashier was inside the office, as the type of glass enclosing it does not allow visibility from the outside.

He explained that on arrival, the patrol drove straight into the gas station because they took the gang for the `Black Clothes Police’ who had arrived before them as they were attired in similar outfits. However, when the security guards left their vehicle, they were greeted with a blaze of gunfire, each one of them receiving several gunshots, the official said. He added that about 500 spent shells were left at the scene.

The funeral expenses of the dead employees will be covered by the company, the official said. He added that there was no formal agreement on this issue, but the company has decided that since the men died on duty, it will cover the funeral expenses from a humanitarian standpoint. In addition, their beneficiaries will receive cash as they were insured by the company, the official said. He said the security company is deeply saddened by the tragedy. (Guyana Cronicle)

FOUND DEAD: Onika Greene

THE body of a 20-year-old mother, Onika Greene, was discovered yesterday in a drain alongside the De Kinderen main road, West Coast Demerara, and Police detained a close acquaintance for questioning.

The distraught mother of Onika, Ms Coreen Douglas, who lives at Met-en-Meerzorg, also on the West Coast Demerara, told the Guyana Chronicle her daughter visited her on Saturday.

She said that at about 18:30 h, she left for home where she resided with her reputed husband and their two-year-old son. After going home, she apparently left in the night to go to Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo, her mother said.

Douglas said her daughter’s reputed husband visited her home Sunday afternoon, saying he did not where Greene was and she had not returned to their home.

However, yesterday at about 11:00 h, she said she received the news at the Uitvlugt/Leonora sugar estate where she works, that Alleyne’s body had been found in a clump of bushes at De Kinderen.

She said that by the time she got there, Police had removed the body. She said she learnt that her daughter’s face and hands were swollen.

Police said Alleyne’s body was found half-naked at around 10:00 h and a post mortem examination will be performed tomorrow. Her two-year-old son, Tyrese Ferrier, was yesterday with Douglas. (Guyana Cronicle)

HAULED IN: The trawler at the Coast Guard wharf at Ruimveldt

A popular businessman was among 11 persons Police detained yesterday following a dramatic high-speed chase on the Demerara River that saw the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard shooting to cut off a trawler and its two fibre-glass super-fast escort boats.

The Coast Guard said that after deploying two of its vessels in the chase, its personnel were forced to fire some three dozen warning shots to intercept and escort the trawler – the MV Sea Trout - to the Coast Guard wharf at Ruimveldt.

It later managed to intercept and corner the two super-fast speedboats which had slipped away, in a drainage canal just off the Demerara River at Pearl, East Bank Demerara, officials said. I But this was after several persons managed to escape, carrying with them any illegal goods or equipment they may have had in the two boats, the officials said.

DETAINED: Some of the detained persons being escorted out of the Coast Guard compound by Police

Although nothing illegal was found on the trawler and the two speedboats, the three vessels were escorted to the Coast Guard wharf at Ruimveldt where they were under guard up to last night.

Coast Guard Commander Andrew Pompey said the Coast Guard was alerted by telephone by Police Deputy Commissioner/Law Enforcement, Mr Henry Greene around 11:45 h yesterday about the three vessels travelling in a suspicious manner on the Demerara River.

“We were told initially when the pursuit started that the two vessels had on board about 15 to 18 persons collectively. This was confirmed by persons that we saw in the river and whom we stopped and spoke to during the pursuit”, he told reporters.

Pompey said when the Coast Guard finally intercepted the two speedboats in the canal at Pearl, ranks found only two men disembarking and both were detained. And shortly after, he said, a man purporting to be the owner of the boats and who identified himself as Mr Lennox John, arrived on the scene by mini-bus, with another young man he said was his son.

The Coast Guard Commander said John and his son were also arrested and with the two from the speedboats, were taken into Police custody where they remained up to last night.

‘MENACING MANNER’

ASTONISHING: Lt Col Wilbert Lee

He said warning shots were then fired above the bow of the trawler. In the meantime, the faster vessel from the Coast Guard - the Hymarali – dispatched to back up the Tirapuku – joined the pursuit.

Pompey, who was on board the back-up vessel, said the Hymarali overtook the Tirapuku in the chase, and completed the interception of the trawler. He said warning shots had to “again” be fired above the warehouse of the trawler before it was finally intercepted and escorted to the Coast Guard wharf.

Asked how many shots were fired, Commander Pompey said two “volleys of shots were fired” – the first of about six shots across the bow of the MV Sea Trout and the second of about 12 fired just above the warehouse of the trawler.

“As we were gaining on them it seems like the speedboats ducked into the canals. I supposed that the others were able to escape and we were able to capture only two of them,” he told reporters yesterday afternoon.

“There were people who were on the two boats - we don’t know the exact number – but there are claims that there were maybe 12 to 14 persons on the boats combined; we were able to capture only two persons. So it is safe to assume that the others got away and it is safe also to assume that there were weapons on board those two escort vehicles (speedboats) which may have also been spirited away.” “We carried out an initial search of the vessels so far and a more detailed search will be carried out on the vessels.”

‘IMPROPER OFFER’

He also said that “an improper offer” was made to the Coast Guard crew when they arrested those found in the boats and this offer “was repeated by the alleged owner of the boats”. Pompey said the “improper offer” was “not entertained”. He also indicated that the investigations from here on will be carried out by the Police, supported by the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), Customs and the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA).

“As far as I am aware, our part of the joint operation is completed…(but) we will still have to ensure that the vessels are in compliance with the laws that govern marine traffic and whether the persons who were operating the vessels were licensed and whether or not the vessels have been modified in any way,” Pompey said.

He said CANU and the GEA were called in because there “may have been some element of fuel smuggling involved” and “an investigation of this nature will necessarily have to involve CANU because there has to be a broad-based investigation”.

Lieutenant Colonel Wilbert Lee of the Coast Guard PublicRelations Department, in an earlier briefing, said that at about 11:45 h, the Coast Guard received information that the MV Sea Trout and two speedboats were heading towards the mouth of the Demerara River. “We also received information that something seems suspicious about the trawler and the two boats and which, from all indications, seems like they were escorting the trawler out the mouth of the Demerara River,” he said.

The Motor Life Boat (MLB) from the Coast Guard was alerted and attempted to intercept the three vessels. Lee said the vessels were subsequently intercepted and the Captain and the crew informed that they would be escorted to the Coast Guard wharf at Ruimveldt. He said they initially acknowledged and even agreed to this, which was evident by their slowing down and then moving towards the Coast Guard wharf.

However, a few hundred metres after this seeming initial compliance with the Coast Guard instructions, the trawler and the two speedboats began to increase speed, he said. Lee said the MLB pursued the vessels but was constrained by its speed and unable to stay close to all three vessels. He said the officer on the MLB radioed the Coast Guard and the Tirapuku - one of the Coast Guard’s fast patrol craft - joined in the chase.

“The vessel pursued the trawler but noted that the men on board the two speedboats had been crouching and it seems as though they had weapons. We were not certain but (this is evident) from the manner in which they adopted the position on the vessel,” he reported.

“One of the speedboats got very close to the MLB and asked whether the ranks on board were going to shoot them and they also said that ‘they were able to take care of the ranks’ and with that they sped away and attempted to go close to the trawler,” Lee told reporters. He said the two speedboats then began to circle the Tirapuku. “What we found astonishing was the fact that although we fired rounds, the vessels continued on the normal course and the normal path towards the MLB,” he said.

Lee also related that at one stage during the chase, one of the speedboats went towards the shore on the eastern bank of the Demerara River and the other continued some distance away from the MLB. It is not clear whether anyone escaped at this point in time. The trawler was intercepted by the Hymarali about a mile-and-a-half from the mouth of the Demerara River, Lee said. “Although nothing untoward was found on these vessels, what was noticeable and what was seen on the vessel was arc welding equipment.”

The Captain and six crew members of the trawler were all detained by the Police. Combined with the two from the speed boat and John, owner of the Splashmin’s Resort and other businesses, and his son, 11 persons were arrested and detained by the Police yesterday. (Mark Ramotar/Guyana Cronicle)

Kidnapped child dropped off at home

THE four-year-old child of an ex-cop who was reported kidnapped from a nursery school in Georgetown on Wednesday, was yesterday dropped off unharmed at her home, Police said. Police in a press release said relatives informed them at about 14:00 h, that Mackenzie `Tiffany’ Belfield had been returned safely to her parents’ residence at 105 Lamaha Gardens, Georgetown, by unknown persons in a motor vehicle.

The release said the Police anti-kidnapping squad was activated Thursday and conducted intense investigations into the incident but the circumstances under which the child was released were not clear. Police said they were, however, in contact with the child’s mother, Eslyn Belfield, who was in touch with the kidnappers until late Thursday night.

“She is claiming that there was no further contact with the kidnappers until about 13:35 h (yesterday) when the child was returned home. Eslyn Belfield was not at home at the time and her father, Walter Worrick, received the child”, the release said.

Police said that during investigations into the kidnapping incident, they detained 13 persons for questioning -- 11 of them were arrested yesterday. Several statements were taken and two of those persons arrested yesterday were still in custody, Police said. The release said Police also searched five homes between Georgetown and Agricola on the East Bank Demerara and investigations were continuing.

The girl’s father, Sean Belfield said he found out that she had been abducted from the Kingston Nursery School when he went to pick her up just after noon on Wednesday. He on Thursday said he had received phone calls from a man who had demanded a ransom for his daughter’s safe return. He indicated then that a fair idea about who the kidnappers might be had been obtained but did not go into details.

A relative who answered one of the two cellular phones, the numbers of which were published in the daily newspapers, told the Guyana Chronicle yesterday that the child was malnourished and dehydrated and her mother had taken her to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation for medical attention. But the hospital did not have any record of the child being treated here.

Up to late yesterday afternoon, the Belfields were very tight-lipped on the return of their daughter and it was not clear whether a ransom was paid for her safe return home. The girl was reportedly taken away from her school by a woman who claimed to be a relative. She was handed over to the woman by a teacher at the school after the female asked for the child by name, relatives said.

Meanwhile, the Education Ministry yesterday said a team of its officials visited the Kingston Nursery School to enquire about the kidnapping incident and whether the correct procedures were followed regarding the release of the child to the person/persons authorised to pick her up from school.

Education Minister, Dr Henry Jeffrey along with his Permanent Secretary and the Head of the Nursery Department of the Education Ministry visited the school where they met the Head Teacher and class teacher of the pupil. A statement from the ministry said the team of officials reminded the Head and teachers of the school about the importance of ensuring that they have clear instructions from parents regarding who should pick up their child/children.

The ministry pointed out that there are procedures at the Nursery Level and some of the Primary Levels concerning parents’ authorisation of person/s to pick up child/children. Persons authorised to pick up children are required to have an identification card and authorisation, it said.

The ministry said, too, that it is the responsibility of the parents to ensure that either one of them collect the child from school. Teachers are also reminded to be vigilant and ensure that these procedures are followed. The team of officials also visited the home of the child, empathised with the parents and offered their support, the ministry said. (Guyana Cronicle)

Two held in child kidnapping probe

POLICE yesterday said they have held two persons in the probe into the kidnapping Wednesday of a four-year-old girl from a nursery school in Georgetown.

Tiffany Belfield, the daughter of former policeman Seon Belfield, was abducted by a woman from the Kingston Nursery School at about 12:05 h Wednesday, Police said in a press release. The abductor pretended to be a relative of the child who lives with her parents in Lamaha Gardens, also in the city, and left with her, Police said.

Belfield yesterday told the Guyana Chronicle the family had received ransom calls for the release of his daughter and the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Police Force was working on clues gathered from the calls. He said he could not provide details on the ransom calls because this could compromise the Police investigations.

Belfield said the Police have been extremely cooperative and helpful in tracking down the abductors since he reported the kidnapping Wednesday. He indicated that a fair idea about who the kidnappers might be had been obtained but did not go into details.

Up to late yesterday afternoon, Belfield said, his wife was at a Police station in Georgetown assisting the Police in tracing the kidnappers. The parents are asking anyone with information pertaining to the abduction of the child to call them on Telephone Numbers: 648-1031 or 648-1024. (Guyana Cronicle)

PARAMARIBO, Suriname: Police in Suriname have detained a well-known female brothel keeper for luring six migrants from the Dominican Republic to Suriname and subsequently forcing them into prostitution. The detainee who is exploiting a brothel in the western district of Nickerie, was arrested last week at the Johan Adolf Pengel International airport near the capital Paramaribo by the special Trafficking in Persons police unit.

The 42-year-old suspect, according to police, had lured the six women to Suriname by promising them employment. At arriving in Suriname they were forced into prostitution. The police unit followed upon a tip from the community that the suspect was engaged in human trafficking and forced prostitution. Preliminary enquiries revealed that she was trafficking Dominican women to Suriname.

Prosecuting Attorney Garcia Paragsingh said in a statement that the victims have already given evidence to the police. Police spokeswoman Marita Ritfeld-Asontoe confirmed that the suspect’s name had already surfaced in an ongoing investigation where recently three other hotel owners were arrested and detained on similar charges.

At the launching of a nationwide awareness campaign, Paragsingh told reporters that a greater awareness of trafficking in persons (TIP) is necessary in order to successfully fight this crime. Starting with the publication of posters and brochures, the campaign will also target media in an effort to reach a wider audience.

Meanwhile the authorities have discovered several human trafficking routes to Suriname. Most victims are recruited in China, Colombia, Brazil, Dominican Republic and, to a lesser extent, in some Eastern European countries.

Currently Suriname is on the United States’ Tier 2 watch list of countries not doing enough to combat human trafficking. In 2003 the country was listed on the Tier 3 section risking sanctions from Washington if nothing was done in relation to this crime.

Since then several actions have been taken by the government and judicial authorities to comply with international policy regarding the fight against TIP. (Ivan Cairo/Caribbean Net News Suriname Correspondent)

PARAMARIBO, Suriname: Military Police in Suriname are investigating the theft of a large amount of ammunition and grenades at an army ammunition bunker on Wednesday night. The suspects entered the bunker at the Ayoko Barracks close to the international airport after they cut through two heavy steel doors with a cutting torch. So far no arrest has been made.

“This is a tragic event and we are doing the utmost to eliminate the threat to security in the country coming from this situation,” said Defense Minister Ivan Fernald on Friday at a press conference. According to the minister, the perpetrators got away with 500 rounds of ammunition for carbines, 200 rounds of ammunition for Bren machine guns and six crates with grenades, each containing 30 pieces.

It is not ruled out that this was an inside job and that military personnel might be involved. According to military sources, the lighting at the military facility was very poor at the time of the incident. In order not to jeopardize the investigations, the minister did not give specific details as to which direction the enquiries are leading or if there are any suspects.

Army commander colonel Ernst Mercuur Friday visited the site 45 kilometers south of the capital Paramaribo, to oversee emergency measures that were ordered immediately after the discovery of the heist. To prevent future robberies more lighting has been installed at all army ammunition bunkers. At the site of the incident the vicinity of the bunker was being cleared of obstacles that could obstruct a good view of the facility.

The authorities assume that more then one individual was involved in the robbery, since it is impossible for one person to move the heavy steel doors at the bunker. The minister also informed reporters that within the coming weeks electronic surveillance and alarm equipment would be fixed at al the military sites.

Two years ago the National Army was also embarrassed by a major robbery at another weapons depot. The suspects however were caught and brought to justice. Recently a Brazilian Congressional Investigating Committee has revealed information that high-ranked army officers from Suriname, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay are involved in arms smuggling to criminal organizations in Brazil.

Police here has also stumbled upon cases in which individuals were involved in delivering weapons to the FARC rebel group in Colombia. In return they were receiving cocaine. (Ivan Cairo/Caribbean Net News Suriname Correspondent)

Lawyer granted leave to approach CCJ

Vaughn Thomas

Seven years after he first appeared in court charged with sexually assaulting a young boy while serving as a member of the Guyana Police Force, Vaughn Thomas has lost an appeal that challenged his conviction and ten-year prison sentence.

But an application by his attorney, Nigel Hughes has cleared the way for Thomas' case to go to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). After the Appeal Court panel - Justices Claudette Singh, Ian Chang and Nandram Kissoon - handed down the decision, Hughes applied for leave to approach the recently inaugurated CCJ and it was granted.

Attorney-at-law, Roger Yearwood, who appeared in association with Hughes, had argued Thomas's case at the Appeal Court hearing.

Thomas, an ex-policeman who was attached to the Grove Police Station, approached the Guyana Court of Appeal through his lawyers last December, more than a year after he was found guilty by a jury and later slapped with a ten-year sentence by Justice Winston Moore.

He appealed on the grounds that there were mis-directions by the judge on the issue of identification. He also argued that the judge improperly admitted into evidence the deposition of a deceased witness and that his confession was improperly admitted. Yesterday, the Appeal Court panel affirmed the conviction and the sentence and ruled that though there were some mis-directions in the High Court case, they were in Thomas' favour and did not prevent him from receiving a fair trial.

Thomas was dismissed from the force after charges were instituted against him and in November 2004, his jury trial commenced before Justice Winston Moore.

He was accused of sodomising a 15-year-old boy on March 27, 1999 in an alleyway at Land of Canaan on the East Bank Demerara, about 12 feet off the public road. During the trial, the victim took the stand and testified that he was jogging along the East Bank public road on the night in question when Thomas drove up alongside him in police vehicle. He was topless at the time and recalled that Thomas made an issue of this before ordering him into the car.

The boy told the jury he begged to go home and Thomas dealt him a slap. He said the policeman then drove to a remote alley and committed the act. The jury had a detailed account of the assault the boy suffered. According to the victim, Thomas told him that what happened that night was just between the two of them but he told his parents the minute he got home.

Hughes, who also appeared for Thomas during the High Court trial, had argued then that the victim was told on the day of the identification parade that the suspect was going to be on the parade and the victim admitted this. However, in evidence that was read in court, Thomas had confessed to Assistant Superintendent of Police Lawrence, that he had picked up the boy the night and later had sex with him.

On November 9, 2004, the jury unanimously found Thomas guilty of buggery and common assault after deliberating for less than two hours. On November 22, Justice Moore sentenced him to ten years imprisonment.

In passing judgement, Justice Moore said the element of aggravation was that Thomas used his uniform, which constituted a pledge to serve and protect, for a reprehensible purpose. Justice Moore said the accused even admitted committing the act with the expectation that the force would have covered it up. (Iana Seales/Stabroek News)

Teens charged with killing female taxi driver

-- neighbour among them

MURDER ACCUSED: from left, Anandram Dhanraj, Naresh Boodhoo and Hemraj Boodwha. (Cullen Bess-Nelson photo)

POLICE yesterday charged three teenagers, including a 16-year-old, with the murder last Friday night of woman taxi driver Seerajiee Singh, at Ogle Airstrip Road, East Coast Demerara. The trio includes Anandram Dhanraj, called ‘Arvin’, 18, of Lot 128 Seventh Street, Success, a neighbour of the slain mother, who had braved the dangerous East Coast Demerara to join her husband in running a taxi service to provide for their family.

The other accused are Naresh Boodhoo, nicknamed ‘Aloo’, of Success Housing Scheme, also 18, and Hemraj Boodwha, 16, of Success Side Line Dam, all also on East Coast Demerara. They appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Cecil Sullivan accused of the killing.

Singh, a 41-year-old mother of three, of Lot 129 Seventh Street, Success, was hired to do a pick-up at about 22:30 h Friday, when the passengers requested to go to Ogle, where she was stuck up, shot in her mouth and pushed out of the vehicle in which her killers drove away. She was taken by Police to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where she died.

The accused were remanded to prison and the case was transferred to Sparendaam Court in the East Demerara jurisdiction, for March 13, when Dhanraj and Boodhoo will again face another joint indictable charge of robbery under arms.

Particulars of that offence said the two robbed Ameron Gulab, at gunpoint, of a ‘Toyota Carina’ motor car valued $1.9M, on January 27, at Liliendaal, on East Coast Demerara, too. Gulab had been hired by one man to take him from Sheriff Street in Georgetown to Liliendaal and the hold-up took place after a second man joined the vehicle, Police said.

The two robbers then drove off with $9,000 they stole from the victim, Police said. Boodhoo pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition and was sentenced to three years imprisonment and fined $2,000 on each of the charges. He admitted that he had a .22 ‘Rossi’ pistol and three live bullets at Mackenzie, Linden, on February 12, while not being the holder of licences for them.

Police Inspector Maxine Graham, prosecuting, said the prisoner was arrested in connection with the Singh killing and a search of his person yielded the gun and ammo from his pants waist. Relatives said Singh did taxi drops at night only with persons she knew.

DEEP GRIEF: One of Singh’s grief-stricken daughters as she is carried from the Elim Pentecostal Church at Success.

A shower of rain added to the sombre mood of the ceremony at the Elim Pentecostal Church at Success, East Coast Demerara yesterday. It was the funeral service for slain female taxi driver Seerajie Singh, 41, and mourners filled the church for a glimpse of the body.

Villagers, friends, church members and relatives all waited in long lines for the viewing. During the service, the singing of hymns was disrupted by uncontrollable sobbing of the daughters of the deceased. Even strangers at the funeral wept as the eulogy was read.

The widower, Pawan Singh, had to be comforted as his wife’s coffin was taken to the Good Hope crematorium for cremation. Singh, who braved the dangerous East Coast Demerara night to join her husband in providing for the family, was shot dead last Friday evening.

She was allegedly killed by teenaged boys, one from Success, the East Coast Demerara village where she lived. Singh leaves to mourn her husband and their three children -- Indira, 24, Melissa, 14, and Kevin, 13.

Police said she was hired to do a pickup with her vehicle PJJ 3529, an AT 192 Carina, at Success, at about 22:30 h Friday last. Singh’s husband, also a taxi driver, said the phone call for the hire came from a Chinese restaurant in the village, and since those who requested the car were known to her, his wife decided to take the job.

Her eldest daughter, Indira, said her mother had driven the men before, and would take jobs at night only when she knew the customer. Police said two men joined the car and asked to be taken to Ogle. On the Ogle Airstrip Road, they held her at gunpoint and ordered her out of the car. When she refused to get out, they shot her in the mouth, pushed her out of the car, and drove away. Police, who were investigating an incident nearby, responded to reports of the shooting, and rushed the woman to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where she died shortly before midnight.

Her husband said when he received the call that his wife was in the hospital, he rushed to the institution. He said when he got there he saw her covered in blood, with a bloody cloth in her mouth. His wife took the cloth from her mouth as if she wanted to tell him something, but hospital staff stopped her. She died minutes later.

Earlier on the night of the murder, Singh said he was having a drink at a village shop after a “funeral hire” all day, when his wife passed and tooted her horn. He remembered his wife would tell him often of not being afraid to drive at night on the East Coast road, where violent crimes were so prevalent. “All they could do is kill me,” she would say.

She decided to join her husband in the taxi-driving business because of constant problems with drivers he hired. So she went to driving school, he bought a car for her, and together they managed the business for the past four years. Singh said his wife always wore a `Kangol’ cap in the reverse, “to look like a man.”

She always wore pants when driving. They would close off working each day at midnight, as they were working to pay off a bank loan. The suspects in the murder appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates Court yesterday. (Guyana Cronicle/Michel Outridge / photo: Stabroek News))

Three men including a Venezuelan who are accused of having 10 kilogrammes of cocaine hidden in the hire car they were in on the Essequibo Coast last Friday, yesterday made an appearance in the Georgetown Magistrate's Court.

Patrick Adams, 32, of Johanna Cecelia, Venezuelan Cerar Urbaro and Andrew Misir, 46, of Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara pleaded not guilty to the charge of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking and they were remanded to prison by Acting Chief Magistrate Cecil Sullivan.

It is alleged that on Friday at Hoff Van Aurich Public Road, the defendants had the cocaine in their possession for the purpose of trafficking.

According to the facts of the case, the trio and two others were travelling in a hire car from Dartmouth when the vehicle was stopped by the police at a road block. They were searched after they reportedly began acting suspiciously. The drugs were subsequently found in the vehicle. As a result of the find the occupants of the car were arrested.

Following investigations, two were released and the others were charged and transferred to the Brickdam lockups in Georgetown. Attorney-at-law Glen Hanoman in association with Rexford Jackson entered an appearance for the defendants.

The matter had to be set down for about half of an hour to find a translator for the Spanish-speaking Urbaro. When it was time to plead to the charge, Urbaro through the translator said, "It's not mine." The matter will continue at the Anna Regina Magistrate's Court on February 28. (Stabroek News)

AN ARMY and Police patrol yesterday afternoon evaded gunfire from a house in south Buxton, East Coast Demerara and later hauled in ammunition and military type clothing and materials. Officials said the soldiers and Police were shot at as they continued joint patrols to clear the troubled village which has become a safe haven for heavily armed criminals.

The patrol came under gunfire around 16:15 h and after it simmered about 10 minutes later, they moved in on the house and discovered the materials which included a mask, ammunition for high powered weapons, and Brazilian, Guyana, and NATO military camouflage outfits and other items.

The materials found were: one mask, 10 M-70 magazines, one AK-47 drum magazine, a Police bullet proof vest, a G3 cleaning kit, three military type water bottles, one M-59 magazine, three Brazilian camouflage hammocks, two Guyana Defence Force (GDF) camouflage pants, one GDF camouflage shirt, two NATO camouflage shirts, one M-70 top cover, plastic, one pair black military DMS boots, marijuana seeds and assorted civilian clothes.

The find also came two weeks after heavily-armed men surfaced in the `Gulf’ in south Buxton during the funeral procession of controversial TV `talk show’ host Ronald Waddell, who was executed at his Georgetown home. No rank was wounded in the gunfire yesterday and Police are continuing investigations into the find.

After Waddell’s execution, there were renewed calls from all sections of society for the Police to intensify the fight against criminals in the country and the governing People’s Progressive Party (PPP) had called on the Police to re-enter Buxton following reports that heavily armed men escorted the body of Waddell into south Buxton. (Guyana Cronicle)

Guns probe continues

GUNS INTERCEPTED: Police yesterday released this photo of the AK-47 automatic rifle, Lugar sub-machine gun and a Glock 9mm pistol, along with a total of 93 rounds of ammunition of varying calibre suitable for use with the three weapons which were intercepted at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri on Saturday.

The small cache of weapons was shipped from the United States in a consignment by Caribbean Cargo in New York on board North American Airlines Flight 091.

Caribbean Cargo and Packaging Services yesterday said it has launched an internal investigation into the discovery of weapons shipped illegally from its gateway in New York. The company said it is also cooperating with all the regulatory agencies in the U.S. and Guyana. (Guyana Cronicle)

Cops hold suspects in woman taxi driver’s killing

POLICE have arrested three men at Rainbow City, Linden, two of them suspects in the murder of woman taxidriver Seerajiee Singh. Singh, 41, of Success, East Coast Demerara, was killed on Friday evening, when she was shot in the mouth after refusing to give up her motor car at Ogle at the command of two men who had hired her.

Police said a .22 revolver and the motor car which was found at 47 Miles Mabura on Sunday are lodged in Police custody. One of the two suspects has been further identified in another robbery in which a motor car was also stolen, Police said.

Seerajiee had braved the dangerous East Coast Demerara night to join her husband in providing for their family before she was shot dead Friday evening. She was killed allegedly by teenagers, one a neighbour, from her East Coast Demerara village of Success. One of them had worked at 47 Miles where the motor car was found. She leaves to mourn her husband, Pawan and their three children Indira, 24, Melissa, 14, and Kevin, 13.

Police said she was hired to do a pickup with her vehicle PJJ 3529, an AT 192 Carina, at Success, at about 22:30 h Friday. Singh’s husband, also a taxi driver, said the phone call for the hire came from a Chinese restaurant in the village, and since those who requested the car were known to her, his wife decided to take the job.

Her eldest daughter, Indira, said her mother had transported the men before, and would only take jobs at nights with those who she was familiar with. Police said the two men joined the car and requested to go to Ogle. When on the Ogle Airstrip Road, they stuck her up and ordered her out of the car but she refused to get out. She was then shot in her mouth and pushed out of the vehicle which the men drove away with, Police said.

Police, who were investigating an incident nearby, responded to reports of the shooting and transported the woman to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where she died shortly before midnight. Pawan and his wife started a taxi business four years ago. She would always wear men’s clothing and a Kangol hat turned backwards and would only take night jobs with people she was familiar with, he said. (Guyana Cronicle)

Manna was killed when three bandits invaded his premises. The victim, a well-known businessman in the Grove community, was shot in the abdomen while tending to customers in his grocery shop at the front of his house about 22:45 h Saturday.

His wife, Jennifer Manna, 46, told the Chronicle yesterday that she was ironing clothes for Sunday morning church when she heard a scrambling in the house and immediately knew something was wrong.

She headed for the back door for help, but her mother-in-law who lives in the upper flat of the building had closed her back door. She ran back into the house where she was confronted by an intruder. She began screaming, though the man told her to shut up. She saw her husband’s niece, Michelle Saturn, 18, standing in the room, with the bandit demanding cash and jewellery from her.

Manna said she ran back outside through the back door and hid under a shed, from where she heard a gunshot and her husband screaming for help. She said two of the bandits then escaped by jumping the front fence, while the third one got away through the neighbours’ fence.

The widow told the Chronicle that after the bandits left she went to the shop and saw her husband on his knees in the shop and then he fell unconscious. He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he died soon afterwards.

A police report said three men armed with a hand gun attacked Totaram Manna in his shop and it is seemed as if he put up a fight before he was show. The police said nothing was reported stolen so far. Manna said this is the first robbery the family experienced after being in the business since 1984.

Relatives, friends and neighbours at Manna's house.

When the Chronicle visited yesterday, scores of relatives, friends, neighbours and members of the Grove Nazarene Church were there, consoling the grief-stricken widow.

“I believe my husband gave his life for me because he fought bravely with the bandits in the shop, when he was murdered,” Manna cried.

Totaram was a devoted member and trustee of the Grove Nazarene Church. The Mannas have no children. (Michel Outridge/Guyana Cronicle)

Police said ranks shot him in the left chest and he died before receiving medical attention. The Police found two masks in the house and are hunting for weapons they believe hidden in and around the premises or on the nearby seawall. When the Chronicle visited the scene yesterday Police were guarding the premises.

Residents said Harrinarine, his wife and three children moved into the village about four months ago. They were not very friendly and kept to themselves. They said the couple usually engaged in loud and abusive fights whenever Harrinarine was at home, and he spent many hours on the seawall close to his home. Neighbours told the Chronicle that Harrinarine’s wife moved out of the home yesterday afternoon with the children, after a bitter fight. Reports said the Harrinarines are originally from Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice.

Sources said Police arrested a 21-year-old Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice suspect recently in connection with several robberies in the village, and he reportedly informed Police of Harrinarine’s whereabouts, implicating him in several armed robberies in the village. The suspect also accompanied ranks to Harrinarine’s house yesterday morning.

On February 2, Harrinarine and two others allegedly attacked a 73-year-old widow while she was about to close up her grocery shop at Bath Settlement, and took off with cash and jewels, reliable sources said. Reports said Harrinarine and a gang of three were responsible for several armed robberies on the West Coast Berbice last year and this year. Police are investigating. (Michel Outridge/Guyana Cronicle)

CLOSED: The sign at the GPL office at Vreed-en-Hoop yesterday. (Delano Williams photo)

A 31-YEAR-OLD bandit was shot several times about the body early yesterday morning during a shootout with police who responded to a break and enter report at the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL) commercial office at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara.

The wounded bandit and more than two accomplices broke into the GPL office and managed to torch open a safe and took out $911,945 in cash and $85,400 in cheques, sources said.

The shot man has been identified as a Laing Avenue, La Penitence, Georgetown resident who had several run-ins with the police. He was under police guard at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) last night.

Reliable sources said that when the police arrived at the GPL office, they were greeted with a hail of bullets by two gunmen who were trying to escape from the premises. The police returned fire hitting one of them in the hand, foot, chest and abdomen, sources said. The lone female security guard on duty at the office had heard the incessant barking of dogs and called the police after seeing persons in the upper flat of the building.

A police report said the men had broken into the building at about 03:30 h from the rear and managed to torch open a safe from which they stole cash and cheques. The others fled during the shootout and left behind a welding torch, two cylinders, a nipper and a crowbar, among other items, police said. The office has been closed until tomorrow. (Guyana Cronicle)

St. Hill’s body

The body of a man identified as Christopher St. Hill, called ‘Ninety’, of Sophia, Greater Georgetown, was found yesterday afternoon slumped in a car, Greater Georgetown.

The circumstances surrounding the man’s death are sketchy. According to reports, the man’s body bore gunshot wounds and he was allegedly shot and killed before being taken to Patterson.

St. Hill’s body was found around 15:00 hrs in a white Toyota Carina and it appeared as though he was shot in the head through the tinted window. The body was in the car with policemen in attendance for about one and a half hours before a hearse from the Lyken Funeral Parlour arrived and removed it. However, in the interim, a large crowd, including his mother Cheryl Brown,and his sister Samantha St. Hill,had converged on the scene and demanded to see the body of the dead man.

Persons were heard exclaiming that they had seen St. Hill mere minutes before when he left a horse racing meeting further up the East Coast. It came as a shock to many when the news reached them that he had been shot.

St. Hill allegedly wounded Raymond Skeete with intent to commit murder. It is also alleged that, on the same day, St. Hill unlawfully and maliciously discharged a loaded firearm at Skeete. Additionally, St. Hill was accused of discharging a loaded firearm at police constable Dwane Cummings and damaging a police car in the process.

Police alleged that Skeete went to a police car which had stopped at the corner of Hunter Street and Independence Boulevard to report a robbery under arms reportedly committed on him.

TAKING NO CHANCES: Vendors at Mon Repos market stayed away yesterday for fear of the Ronald Waddell funeral procession.

RONALD Waddell, the controversial TV `talk show’ host killed Monday night by unknown gunmen, was cremated yesterday amid calls by politicians to heed the request of his reputed wife, Bonita Harris, for a rejection of violence in politics and in all relationships.

The funeral procession from Georgetown to the troubled village of Buxton, East Coast Demerara, and then to the Good Hope foreshore for the cremation, triggered unease among East Coast communities.

Saturday is the busiest day at the popular Mon Repos market, the largest on the East Coast which draws throngs of shoppers, but it was almost deserted yesterday. Stallholders and vendors stayed away and the few, who ventured out, hurriedly packed up and moved out as the procession neared in the afternoon.

SERVICE: PNCR leader Mr Robert Corbin, third from left in front row, and Waddell’s reputed wife, Ms Bonita Harris, centre, at the funeral service in the Brickdam Cathedral.

Police kept a close watch and cleared the main road for the procession and a spokesman said there were no incidents.

Waddell, 57, who spoke out against perceived marginalisation of Afro-Guyanese on his TV show from which he was late last year unplugged by HBTV 9 for controversial statements, was hailed by Opposition and People’s National Congress Reform Leader, Mr Robert Corbin as “a passionate fighter for the rights of his people.”

At the funeral service at the Brickdam Cathedral in Georgetown, Corbin said “this country cannot move forward in peace” unless all citizens enjoy equity, calling Waddell a fearless and tireless champion of the oppressed.

Leader of the Rise and Organise Guyana (ROAR) party, Mr Ravi Dev also called for a condemnation of violence in its entirety and said no one ought to be killed the way Waddell was.

He said disagreements should be addressed in a peaceful fashion. After the service, the funeral procession made its way to the Good Hope foreshore, but this was bypassed in the first instance for a viewing of Waddell’s body in Buxton, where emotions ran high among members of a vociferous crowd.

On the way to Buxton, the funeral procession stirred anxiety among many, as the crowd was not all the time orderly and heavily armed Police were stationed along the route. Some members of the procession rode in overloaded buses, hanging out of windows, while some sat in open car trunks while on the move.

When passing the two Police stations along the way, Sparendaam and Beterverwagting, some members of the procession hurled derogatory slurs at the Police while waving black and red flags. The PNCR flag flew from one vehicle in the cortege. Vendors out at the Mon Repos market packed up early to avoid the funeral procession.

The market usually runs into the night, but stallholders who ventured out closed at midday, while the street vendors who usually take over both sides of the road were not in sight. Those who sell aback the market scurried to pack up in the afternoon when it appeared that the procession was heading back to the city.

Stallholders reported that there were no negative incidents, but nonetheless bemoaned the loss of sales. When the procession reached Buxton, the Police set up road blocks at Vigilance, and held up traffic for almost two hours, much to the ire of those who had no choice than to wait. Some returned to where they came from, unable to bear the wait.

Reports said Waddell was leaving his Subryanville, Georgetown home and was in the driver’s seat of the car, between 19:30 h and 20:00 h Monday when two men walked up and opened fire, raking him and the vehicle with bullets. Persons, who said they heard the rapid shooting, looked around and saw flashing bursts of fire from the guns before the killers fled.

Police in a press release said automatic guns were apparently used in the attack on Waddell who was a lightning rod for controversy, particularly coming out of his statements on at least two television shows he produced and hosted on HBTV Channel 9.

As late as last year, HBTV management pulled Waddell off the air after his latest controversial pronouncements, on his show `Taking care of business’, in support of what he referred to as `The Buxton Resistance’ – the gunmen in Buxton with whom he was accused of associating. His statements on that programme also resulted in him being called into the Ethnic Relations Commission.

Meanwhile, investigations continue into Waddell’s execution and the Police are urging anyone who has information concerning any suspicious vehicle(s) seen in the area prior to or after the incident, to contact them on telephone numbers 225-6411, 225-7625, 226-6978, 225-8196, 225-3650, 225-6941, 226-1389, 227-2128 or 911.

Surendranauth Bhojnauth

A 27-year-old man accused of hitting another in the head with a piece of wood during an argument over religion, resulting in the death of the man several days later, yesterday appeared at the Vigilance Magistrate's Court.

Surendranauth Bhojnauth of Belmont, Mahaica was not required to plead to the indictable charge of murder.

Magistrate Brassington Reynolds later remanded him to prison. It is alleged that on January 27, at Belmont, Mahaica, Bhojnauth murdered Ramparan Deonarine called `Son'.

According to reports, the two were arguing over religion when Bhojnauth picked up a piece of wood and dealt Deonarine a lash to his head. The injured man was subsequently rushed to the Georgetown Hospital where he died eight days later. Bhojnauth will return to the Mahaica Magistrate's Court on February 16. (Stabroek News)

Press association, others register concern at Waddell killing

THE People’s Progressive Party and the Guyana Press Association yesterday joined others condemning the killing of controversial TV talk show host Ronald Waddell as the Police continued the probe into the murder.

Waddell, 57, died shortly after two gunmen Monday night riddled him with bullets in his car outside his Georgetown home and a Police source yesterday said investigators had not detained anyone and there was yet no clear motive for the execution-style killing.

The former journalist turned politician was a candidate for the main opposition People’s National Congress Reform in the 2001 general elections and later took his platform to talk shows on local TV, sparking controversy with his views.

HBTV Channel 9 late last year pulled Waddell off the air after his latest controversial pronouncements on his programme `Taking care of business’, in support of what he referred to as the `Buxton resistance’ – the gunmen in Buxton with whom he was accused of associating.

The PPP, the main partner in the governing PPP/Civic alliance, in a statement yesterday, extended its sympathy to Waddell’s relatives and condemned his killing. But the party said it was “disgusted” by the attempt by the PNCR “to use his killing to stir emotions and create tensions in our society.” It said the Police must be allowed to carry out their investigation unhindered by machinations such as the PNCR’s and with the fullest support of the public.

“Instead of making incendiary statements, the PNCR would do well to provide the police with all the information at its disposal”, the PPP urged. It said it did not want to ascribe any motive to the PNCR’s “hasty and inflammatory pronouncements” on Waddell’s death. “We must not allow the PNCR leadership and the pro-opposition section of the media to manipulate the issue to create unease and fear in our society”, the PPP said.

In a statement, the Guyana Press Association, also expressed concern and condemned the “brutal execution”. The association said that while it recognised that the Police must do their job to investigate this execution, “we urge the Guyana Police Force not to let Waddell’s death go the way other gun crimes have gone.” “We speak about the growing lists of gun crimes where the investigations seem to be heading nowhere”, the group said.

“Our responsibility is to protect media workers and we, more than anyone else, recognise that people may not share all the views that we espouse, but we expect people to appreciate that there are different opinions, in every sphere of life. Many did not share Mr. Waddell’s views but that was no reason for his execution”, it said.

The African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) also issued a press release condemning the death. It expressed shock at the “horrendous and treacherous assassination of our colleague and brother”. The organisation called for restraint “even as we reiterate the position that political differences, differences in ideological and social opinions should not lead to the vindictiveness that leads to callous murder.”

The Police have appealed for public help to track the killers, urging anyone who has information concerning any suspicious vehicle(s) seen in the area prior to or after the incident, to contact them on telephone numbers 225-6411, 225-7625, 226-6978, 225-8196, 225-3650, 225-6941, 226-1389, 227-2128 or 911.

“All information will be treated with strict confidence”, Police said.
Reports said the two men who shot Waddell were waiting in a car parked on the street near his home in Subryanville and closed in after he had gone into his car. (Guyana Cronicle)

Police seek help in finding Waddell killers

THE Police last night appealed for public help to track the killers of controversial TV talk show host Ronald Waddell who was sprayed with bullets in a car outside his Georgetown residence Monday night.

As investigators searched for a motive behind the execution, President Bharrat Jagdeo said he was puzzled as to who will benefit from misleading rumours being pedalled by some that the killing might have been politically motivated.

Responding to a query at a news conference he hosted at the Office of the President yesterday afternoon, Mr Jagdeo made it clear that up to that point in time, he was not aware of the details of Waddell’s death. He told reporters he was expected to be briefed on the incident later in the day by Police Commissioner Winston Felix.

“I don’t know what the circumstances are (and) maybe I should not say anything at this point in time…but…just this morning someone said he was at a meeting with some other people and they were saying that it is a political killing and that seems to be the spin that is being given to the killing,” President Jagdeo said. “Who are the people who will benefit from such a kill?” he queried.

He pointed out that the governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) through the years has tolerated the significant abuses not only from Waddell but many others who every day criticise the government. “We have been very, very tolerant to criticisms, something that in fact has been internationally acknowledged and even (acknowledged) here,” he told reporters.

“I am not jumping to conclusions but the police will have to deal with this matter like they have dealt with every other matter. They will have to find the culpable people,” the President said.

Reports said Waddell, 57, was leaving home and was in the driver’s seat of the car, between 19:30 h and 20:00 h, when two men walked up and opened fire, raking him and the vehicle with bullets.

Persons, who said they heard the rapid shooting, looked around and saw flashing bursts of fire from the guns before the killers fled.

A Police source said preliminary investigations showed that four men found with three hand guns and ammunition when a police patrol chased and caught them after the killing Monday night, were not linked to the shooting. Police in a press release said automatic guns were apparently used in the attack on Waddell and the men held after the car chase were found with two unlicensed .32 pistols with 15 matching rounds and an unlicensed .38 revolver with six matching rounds of ammunition.

In another press release last night, Police urged anyone who has information concerning any suspicious vehicle(s) seen in the area prior to or after the incident, to contact them on telephone numbers 225-6411, 225-7625, 226-6978, 225-8196, 225-3650, 225-6941, 226-1389, 227-2128 or 911. “All information will be treated with strict confidence”, Police said.

While Waddell, a former journalist who once worked with the Guyana Chronicle, had a controversial and stormy political career over the past few years, no substantial theory as to a motive for the execution-style killing had surfaced up to late yesterday.

Colonel Christine King, Chief Executive Officer of the Ethnic Relations Commission, said the report in yesterday’s Kaieteur News stating that Waddell was to have appeared before the commission yesterday was erroneous. King said the ERC found it to be irresponsible reporting and contacted the newspaper which promised to publish a retraction in today’s issue.

Meanwhile, several organisations have come out with statements of condemnation on the killing. A Guyana Islamic Trust (GIT) release offered condolences to Waddell’s wife, children and other relatives. “The manner and time of his death,” the release stated, “could not have come at a worst time in the affairs of this nation. The GIT joins with all peace loving Guyanese in condemning this brutal killing and wanton waste of life.”

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) has also condemned the murder as an atrocious act. In a statement yesterday, the umbrella private sector group said it was appalled at the brutal murder of Waddell. The PSC extended its condolences to the family and said it was “increasingly deeply disturbed about these series of execution like killings that have taken place with seeming impunity within recent years.”

The commission said that while it must wait until a police investigation is conducted and the facts of this “abhorrent act are further disclosed”, it believes that the “maintenance of law and order and the stability of our society is seriously threatened.”

The PSC urged Police Commissioner Winston Felix to “spare no effort to bring the criminals associated with this act to justice.” (Guyana Cronicle)