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FM
Former Member

Crimes and celebrations

It would not be hyperbolic to state that over the last two weeks, most Guyanese feel their country is under siege from emboldened criminal elements. It started with the invasion by armed bandits into the grilled home of an elderly rice farming couple; the Munirs, of Good Hope, East Bank Essequibo. Huddled in their second line of defence, their grilled bedroom, they were not spared by the thwarted bandits who descended into animalistic fury when they doused the home with gasoline and burnt the couple to death. Thousands of rice farmers across Guyana who also deal with large quantities of cash at harvest time, trembled in fear in empathy with the couple.
Across in Georgetown, another Essequibian, Mahendra Persaud, travelled to purchase stocks for his family’s store in Wakenaam. He was trailed by bandits on an infamous CG and as he exited from a store he was accosted by one of the bandits who grabbed his bag. When he resisted, he was shot and for good measure, run over by another accomplice in a car. He died and thousands of rural businessmen who have to visit Georgetown for similar purposes, trembled in fear in empathy with the young businessman.
Last Thursday night, four armed bandits invaded the Alesie Rice Mill at Ruimzigt on the West Coast of Demerara, owned by one of the largest millers and exporters of rice in Guyana. They pistol-whipped the guard, torched their way into the safe and escaped with $4 million. Millers across Guyana trembled in fear in empathy with Mr Doerga. This weekend, an armed invasion in the Corentyne was launched against five individuals plucking chicken painstakingly reared over the past months for market. They were robbed of $1 million and a quantity of jewels while one person was shot. Thousands of poultry farmers across Guyana trembled in fear in empathy with Vanisha Srikissoon and her workers.
But the most brazen and chilling criminal action was the invasion by four armed men in the wee hours of Friday morning of the Ramada Princess Casino at Providence, East Bank Demerara, just hundreds of yards from the Providence Police Station. While Police responded to the criminal assault, three of the bandits escaped while the fourth was captured through his own ineptitude. In several of the above-mentioned crimes of armed robbery, affected persons complained bitterly about the ineffectual Police response that did not include roadblocks. In the case of the Ramada assault, on December 4, 2014, the Providence Police had a dry run when Sterling Products suffered an identical armed invasion. Corporate Guyana trembled in fear in empathy with the owners of Ramada.
As benumbed citizens grope for answers, they are faced with what they consider to be a very anomalous response by a Government that came into office on a strong law and order platform. The presence of Brigadier David Granger as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Disciplined Forces advised by a Navy Commodore (rtd), a Major General (rtd), a Commissioner of Police (rtd) and several other senior members of the Disciplined Forces, had led those citizens to expect the law and order promises would be kept.
But what they see is a Government evidently consumed by the Jubilee Bash to commemorate the 50th Independence Anniversary. In fact, when asked by the Berbice Chambers of Commerce to visit and listen to their concerns on crime, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan replied he was “too busy with Jubilee preparations”. This is by any account a most callous response to citizens, only matched by the Agriculture Minister’s refusal to meet with the 1700 sugar workers of Wales Estate, affected by the closure of the factory.
One irony in the focus on “independence celebrations” at the expense of pressing challenges faced by citizens is the question, “what independence”? The other is the crime upsurge, especially the Ramada invasion, will deter most of the expected international visitors for the jubilee celebrations.

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Tipping point…

 

…on crime?

What’d you call the robbery of the Ramada Princess two days ago but an “armed invasion”? Four men enter a casino on the main thoroughfare between the airport and the city, shoot up the place wild-west style, rob patrons and the casino – and then escape! Well…three of them escaped because evidently they hadn’t “cased” the joint thoroughly enough to know the back door can’t be opened from the inside.

That’s so reminiscent of the Sterling Products invasion of less than a year-and-a-half ago. Then a half dozen heavily armed men (there were varying accounts) attempted to rob the company and in the process, shot to death a security guard and injured two employees. Even though the Company was located just 200 metres from the Providence Police Station, and the shooting lateral minutes, all of the attackers escaped. Without any money – but that sure wasn’t because of the police.

The question raised – but never answered – was why road-blocks weren’t thrown up on both sides of Sterling as soon as the shooting started. What’s the SOP for a police station when they get a report – or hear! – of a robbery or a crime where the persons have escaped in a vehicle? Are roadblocks only for shaking down unwary drivers – and making passes after they stop females? A few months later, three of the bandits – including the infamous Rayon Paddy recently incinerated in the Camp St Jail Fire – were charged. But not before committing other murders and robberies. The alleged “ringleader” was never caught.

Unbelievably, the Ramada Princess is located not much farther away from the same Providence Police Station. It has to be that these bandits have absolutely no respect for the Providence Police! Or else they have an inside friend? Anyhow, this time, we read the police DID get to the Ramada – but not before the three bandits that chose to exit through the front door, escaped. NOW we have to find out whether the police that arrived on the scene were from Providence, don’t we?

So we return to the question asked after the Sterling invasion: were roadblocks thrown up on both sides of the Ramada Princess after the cops at Providence Station heard gunshots? And yes! They HAD to’ve heard the gunshots.

But there’s a larger trend here – related to the inability of the police to strike fear in the heart of criminals. Paraphrasing the Frank Sinatra ballad on New York City, if criminals can get away with armed invasions right next to the Providence Police Station, then they can get away with it anywhere, nuh?

Forewarned, unfortunately doesn’t mean forearmed in Guyana!

 

…on spunks?

Minister of Public Security and VP Khemraj Ramjattan once again declared the Camp St Jail’s “under control”. He’d asserted this once before but was disputed by officers of the prison who gave testimony to the CoI investigating the fire that took 17 lives. Now Ministers don’t have any operational roles in running institutions under their civilian control – that’s left to the officers in charge.

But obviously THEY don’t have knowledge of the ground reality in the prison like Ramjattan. But several previous CoI’s into the Prison Service DID say the prison recruitment wasn’t attracting men as bright as Ramjattan. The goodly Minister therefore took serious exception to the Chronoc daring to report that the present state of the Camp St Jail represented a “National Security threat”.

All he would concede was the prisoners now have “spunks”. But didn’t say whether his caving in to the prisoners’ demands after meeting them, gave them the said “spunks”!

 

…on town Clerk

What will it take to remove this pestilence on City Governance called Royston King? He’s now gone and misspent money allocated for City Archives. US Presidents couldn’t remove the FBI’s Hoover because he “had the goods on them”.

So whose skeletons King knows where they’re buried?

FM

THE LATEST OF THE PNC/AFC DONT CARE ATITUDE:

Parika fuel dealer shot dead during robbery

A Parika businessman was on Saturday killed when two gunmen attacked him in front of his home.
Dead is Seeram Singh of Lot 40 Parika Outfall, East Bank Essequibo.

Dead fuel dealer Seeram Singh

Dead fuel dealer Seeram Singh

Relatives of the now dead fuel dealer

Relatives of the now dead fuel dealer

Reports are that the businessman was attacked at about 21:00h by the two gunmen who robbed him of three sizable gold chains which were on his neck. Notably, his gold rings were still on his fingers.
Guyana Times was told that the 52-year-old businessman was shot twice to his head. He also had three stab wounds to his body.
Relatives told this newspaper that the businessman put up a fight with the gunmen during the ordeal.
The grieving family stated that they are extremely disappointed with the Police’s response to the robbery.
A close relative related that the Police took a long time to respond following the shooting.

FM

UNDER THE PNC/AFC AND SO CALLED LEADER: SEEMS LIKE GUYANA IS GOING DOWN THE DRAINS: THEY DO NOT HAVE A CLUE FOR THE CRIME SITUATIIONS

 

Gunmen escape with $4M as another Corentyne businessperson robbed

– employee shot

 

Armed bandits on Saturday morning robbed a Corentyne poultry retailer of more than $4 million in cash and jewellery before escaping on foot after shooting an employee.

Injured: Samuel Fernandes

Injured: Samuel Fernandes

This is as bandits continue to wreak havoc on the Corentyne. The incident occurred at about 03:30h at Lot 438 Rose Hall Town.
Speaking with this publication, Vanisha Shrikisson related that three men, all masked and carrying guns and knives entered her yard as she was about to leave home for the Port Mourant Market to ply her trade.
Reports are that at the time one of the victim’s brothers was in the yard along with three workers. They were all tied with pieces of clothes and placed at the back of the yard while one of the bandits stood guard.
According to the businesswoman, the bandits demanded the keys for the house after pouncing on her. “Dem deh a demand ah key, and I tell dem ah going and get the key, but one ah dem start fuh cuff me in me head and I beg dem fuh leff me alone.”
At the time of the incident, Shrikisson’s sister-in-law and her seven-month-old baby were in the house. “Ah call n tell she fuh open the door and she open it,” she added.
She noted that when the men finally entered the house, they took her to her bedroom and told her to empty a wardrobe, which had $2.5 million, while the other broke into a second bedroom. “He take all the cash I had, wha we sell and all me jewellery,” Shrikisson related. The jewellery is estimated to be in excess of $1.5 million.
Meanwhile, Samuel Fernandes, 20, a part-time worker with the businesswoman who arrived late for work, became suspicious after entering the yard. Shortly after entering the yard, the gunmen were leaving and a confrontation occurred between them and Fernandes. During the confrontation, Fernandes managed to pull the mask off one of the gunmen and in retaliation the bandit shot him to his shoulder. He was rushed to the Port Mourant Hospital and was later transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital, where he remains a patient. Police have since launched an investigation into the incident but up to press time no arrests have been made. Meanwhile, over the past few weeks there have been a series of robberies along the Lower Corentyne, the most daring being the invasion of a house situated opposite the Albion Police Station on March 13. On April 10, a man was killed when bandits invaded his home at Topu. There have also been multiple home invasions at Belvedere, Port Mourant, Ankerville, Hampshire, and Rose Hall Town.

FM

Man stabbed to death at Hadfield Street

A 26-year-old man was stabbed to death outside the White Castle Fish Shop, Hadfield Street, Georgetown in the wee hours of Saturday evening.
Gordon Ross, 26, was reported found with multiple stab wounds to the body and four of his teeth missing. Hospital officials also claimed that he was badly beaten to the body.
Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum told media operatives that an investigation has been launched into the stabbing incident, while noting that none of the man’s relatives have made contact with the Police or the hospital.
He explained that based on reports, there was a crowd at the White Castle Fish Shop and the victim received several stab wounds about his body. He added that a taxi was stopped and asked to render assistance to the injured man and Ross was taken to hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Up to late Saturday evening, no one was arrested for the murder. However, Blanhum noted that they are attempting to make contact with the dead man’s relatives to get information about his background, and more importantly, whom he would have left home with on Friday evening.
However, Guyana Times understands that a man of Rastafarian descent visited the Georgetown Public Hospital on Saturday morning to enquire about Ross but after he was told that the man had passed away, he ran out of the medical facility saying “jah rasta farai”.

FM

Gunmen storm Ruimzigt rice mill

– escape with $3M

By Kristen Macklingam

Gunmen stormed into the Ruimzeigt Rice Processors Inc, Alesie Avenue, West Coast Demerara (WCD) on Thursday night and escaped with over $3 million after beating the security guard on duty.
According to reports the bandits also escaped with six laptops and machinery parts. The incident occurred at about 01:30h.
Reports are that the men entered the facility from a back entrance and held the two security guards at gunpoint before beating and duct-taping them.
Chief Executive Officer of the Ruimzeigt Rice Processors Inc Jai Kesswanie in an interview following the incident said the perpetrators used a blowtorch to open the safe where the cash and other items were stored.
“In the process of cutting open the safe door they damaged a lot of things, in addition to taking the monies and valuables. The one security who was badly injured we took him to the West Demerara Hospital but it was locked and even the police station here was locked… we then had to call the police and then they came immediately to the scene,” he explained.
According to Kesswanie, this is not the first time a robbery has taken place at his businessplace, however, the losses on previous occasions were minimal in comparison to this latest incident.
Meanwhile, this newspaper was told that investigators are working on the theory that the robbery was an “inside job”.
An investigation has since been launched.

FM

Berbice Chambers, Police Association trade barbs over crime situation

 
Recently graduated members of the Guyana Police Force.

Recently graduated members of the Guyana Police Force.

Two of Guyana’s leading Chambers of Commerce in Berbice and police are at odds over the state of crime mainly in the Berbice area where there have been several armed robberies.

While the Guyana Police Force (GPF) did not respond specifically to the concerns by the Central Corentyne and Berbice Chambers of Commerce, the Police Association issued a statement through the law enforcement agency’s Public Relations Department, showing statistics that there has been a reduction in violent crimes.

“Serious crimes in the country have been reduced by 16%. Gun related robberies in Berbice, specifically, have been reduced by 9%, while robberies using other instruments have been reduced by 40% and robberies with violence by 60%,” said the Police Association which represents from Chief Inspectors to Constables.

Declaring that the members of the Central Corentyne and Berbice Chambers of Commerce are an “ungrateful and irresponsible body,” the Police Association urged those two business organisations not to implicate the police force in politically-motivated actions. “The Guyana Police Association is calling on the Central Corentyne and Berbice Chambers of Commerce not to drag the Guyana Police Force into any political conflict, but to seek to give the Force meaningful support in its continuing efforts in the carrying out of its mandate to maintain public safety and security,” the association said.

The Association further charged that that while other civil society and private sector organisations have contributed towards and social and security arrangements, the Central Corentyne and Berbice Chambers have contributed nothing during the past five years.

In apparent reaction to the chambers’ desire for police to use more force against criminals, the Police Association said the “highly motivated” and “professional” police force does not shoot criminals willy-nilly. “Our members see their role in tackling crime as an effort towards crime prevention and the detection of crime as well as the prosecution of criminals in a more efficient way. Our job is not to shoot down people but we are trained to defend ourselves by using force that is necessary.”

The  Chambers, which represent the business community in the opposition People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) stronghold of mainly East Berbice, have attacked Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan and the A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) government for being unresponsive. “The Government’s policy on crime needs a serious overhaul. The government appears weak, soft and sympathetic to criminals, contrast this with the late Presidents’ Hoyte’s no-nonsense and aggressive approach to the ‘kick down the door bandits” in the eighties, President Granger being a historian should go back and study and implement the strategies used by President Hoyte, who on assuming office in the eighties quickly brought the crime spree under control,” the chambers said in a statement.

The Chambers said President David Granger and his government have failed to provide safety and security to all Guyanese. The business organisations recommended that the commissioner, divisional commanders and their deputies urgently put strategies in place and monitor every single police station and outpost in the country to ensure that preventative strategies are put in place, and intelligence is gathered and acted upon.

Registering their extreme disappointment that the coalition has failed to fulfill its campaign promise of improving Guyana’s security landscape with the military, ex-commissioner and other “experts” at their disposal, the Chambers said Berbice is far worse than we have ever experienced. “Everyone seems to be a sitting duck, as it seems every day a business is held up and residents beaten and robbed in their homes, this coupled with the depressed business environment, makes it exceedingly burdensome for businesses and ordinary citizens to cope.” They also expressed concern that Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan has refused to meet with them immediately because he is busy with preparations for Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary.

Similar concerns were expressed by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) which called on government and the Disciplined Services to address the crime situation ahead of the arrival of overseas visitors for the Jubilee celebration. “It is extremely disturbing that all the support over the years, from both local and international agencies, seems to have done very little to improve the overall effectiveness of the Guyana Police Force in securing the nation.  Clearly, there is an urgent need for a national discussion on the long term capacity of the Force to address the level of crime in Guyana, starting with an increase in foot patrols,” the GCCI said.

The GCCI noted that the business climate could be affected by robberies such as those committed on the Princess Casino, the murder of the two prominent rice farmers- both burnt to death-and numerous other businesses across the country that continue to be documented in our daily newspapers which are regularly viewed by Guyana’s intended overseas guests . “These incidents will loom like a large cloud over our parades and related activities, deter visitors from coming to participate in our celebrations, and can place a damper on lucrative future investment.

FM

From what I am reading, All the Criminals are BLACKS. Rumjat says wait till after the 50th Jubilee , then he will address the crime problem, what is the motive in that answer, is this a government sanction fund raising. PNC criminals are running the country, if you notice the robberies are for $millions and gold.

K
The home of the Shirkissoons, where the robbery took place
The home of the Shirkissoons, where the robbery took place

Bandits terrorise Rose Hall Town family

 

— shot employee hospitalised

AT ABOUT 03:30 hrs on Saturday, Vaniesha Shirkissoon, a poultry vendor who plies her trade in the Rose Hall Town and Port Mourant markets, was preparing to go sell at the Port Mourant Market when three armed and masked men stuck her up at her Rose Hall Town home on the Corentyne, demanding cash and jewellery.

Shot employee Samuel Fernandes

Shot employee Samuel Fernandes

“Me come downstairs to prepare for the market around 03:30hrs and see three boys. They had on mask and tell me feh carry them to the money and gold.”

The traumatised woman said the men tied up her brother, and one of them stood guard over him outside while the other two demanded that she lead them to the money upstairs.

She said that as they approached the door, she forgot where she had left the keys because she was traumatized by fright, and the men started to hit her in the head with the gun as she fumbled.

The woman said she pleaded with the men not to hurt her, and called on her sister-in-law to open the door.

“After me sister-in-law open the door, they point a gun on she and said ‘don’t say a word’. Me carry them upstairs to me bedroom and open the wardrobe and give them everything me had.”

Shirkissoon said she gave the men over $2 million in cash, which was her business money, and jewellery she had accumulated over the years, worth over $1.5 million.
The men also took $50,000 she had in her possession, which was to be used for the day; and, not satisfied, they ransacked the house looking for more.

While this was ongoing, Samuel Fernandes of Bulletwood Street, Rose Hall Town, who works with the Shirkisoons on weekends, came in as usual to assist with preparation for the market, and he saw the tied-up man outside with the bandit over him. He raised an alarm and a scuffle ensued with him and the bandit. He managed to pull off the bandit’s mask, and was shot in the shoulder.

The bandits then fled, taking the booty with them. Fernandes remains a patient at the New Amsterdam Hospital and is said to be in a stable condition.

FM

Take it from a man who knows best about ethnic cleansing.

Quote by Gilbakka.

I am becoming more convinced that the PPP will NOT win the 2020 general elections. Firstly, the party's Indian voting base is diminishing steadily through deaths and emigration. Secondly, no black person in his/her right sense will vote PPP".

Granger never won 2015 election and he will never win again in 2020. His aim is to eliminate the Indian voting base to stay in power beyond 2020. The killing is not a coincident, but a political plan. Believe it or not!

FM
asj posted:

Tipping point…

 

…on crime?

.

That’s so reminiscent of the Sterling Products invasion of less than a year-and-a-half ago. Then a half dozen heavily armed men (there were varying accounts) attempted to rob the company and in the process, shot to death a security guard and injured two employees. Even though the Company was located just 200 metres from the Providence Police Station, and the shooting lateral minutes, all of the attackers escaped. Without any money – but that sure wasn’t because of the police.

 

May I remind that PPP that 1 1/2 years ago they were in power.   If after almost 23 years of governing they couldn't figure out how to solve the problem, why do they flatter APNU AFC by thinking that they would be any better.

Ramjattan is thoroughly inept, incompetent, and way beyond his abilities, but the Rohee was no better.

FM
Cobra posted:

Take it from a man who knows best about ethnic cleansing.

. Firstly, the party's Indian voting base is diminishing steadily through deaths and emigration.

Please furnish proof that the Indian population is growing. If you cannot then cease your racist attacks against Gilbakka.

FM

 

Ramjattan doesn’t know how to deal with the crime situation

Mr Editor,
When I read about bandits invading the Ramada Princess Hotel, I knew immediately that we have crossed the line in the sand in the fight against the criminals.
It is now an established fact that since my fellow Berbician was made Minister of Home Affairs or even dressed it up as Public Security that he confirmed that he ain’t able with the job. Since he became the Security Minister, we have sent the ants to catch the tigers. In every society the freedom of the criminals is a test of its civilisation and clearly Guyana has now returned officials to banana republic status similar to the days of the Roger Khan/Fine Man reign.
With all these military officers in power wasting tens of millions on salary and travel on themselves, we continue to fail the people on the crime-fighting front. These military people have no time with the welfare of the people as they empty the Treasury on themselves.
As a Berbician, it pains me to see the Ramjattan administration struggle this much to the point that it starts to seriously resemble the Rohee administration. I do not want to see him fail but it is clear that Ramjattan is the new Rohee.
I have always been trained to recognise that irrespective of how competent you think you are, honest people know their core competence and never dabble in areas they are not competent.
Khemraj Ramjattan might have made an excellent Attorney General or Minister of Legal Affairs, or even Agriculture or Education but a successful Home Affairs Minister he shall never be.
Today he continues to bring great shame to Berbicians as he looks even more incompetent than Rohee. But he is not a man to his word. Two years ago he said that Rohee must go and Rohee was a failure and he was right. But now given the chance to prove himself, he has now ended up worse than Rohee. Thus the call is only fitting – Ramjattan must go!
Ramjattan has limited training in the art of criminology; zero experience is the trade of crime fighting and thus is poorly qualified to do this job. This was nothing but a political set up by the PNC to destroy, and destroy him they did.
Today Berbice wants nothing to do with Ramjattan as our people continue to be slaughtered like animals, while he sitting like a fat cat living off the state, driving our prados and living off of our money and he cannot even serve us competently.
When I saw how he begged Minister Harmon to join him at the jail to engage the criminals, I was convinced that Ramjattan is afraid of the criminals.
He might be a good lawyer, a good book boy, a good legal researcher, but what he is not is a street boy and unless you got street sense, you cannot win this war against crime.
Keeping Ramjattan one more day in the Ministry of Public Security will only cause greater harm to this nation and most importantly to himself. Bottom line is Ramjattan ain’t able with this portfolio so why is he fooling himself?

Sincerely,
Jai (Harry) Lall,
Corentyne

FM

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