Judge to probe strike violence
PRESIDENT Janet Jagan has appointed Judge Carl Singh to probe attacks on stores in Georgetown and other violent incidents during the public sector pay strike that ended last month. The President yesterday signed the instrument for the inquiry when she resumed duty after her short hospitalisation and rest. Under the instrument, the judge will also investigate the Police shooting of strikers during a mob demonstration outside a wharf in Georgetown and the invasion of the headquarters of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), which called the 57-day strike. Justice Singh, due to be sworn in today, is to begin work immediately. He said he faced a "formidable task" in the inquiry. "I am pleased at the confidence reposed in me by the President and I would endeavour to do my best and to be fair to all concerned in the formidable task I face in the forthcoming weeks", Justice Singh told the Chronicle. The commission of inquiry into the strike incidents was agreed to in the terms of resumption the Government, the GPSU and the Federated Union of Government Employees (FUGE) signed to end the strike last month. Street violence regularly plagued demonstrations during the strike and riot Police were frequently deployed to try to maintain order. The Office of the President said the Singh Commission will investigate and report on the "acts of malicious damage to property, incidents of robberies and violence committed against citizens, particularly East Indians, store owners and vendors." It will also probe the Police shooting of strikers and others in Water Street on Tuesday, May 18; the frequent invasion of the Public Hospital Georgetown by unruly mobs and the interference with members of staff as well as patients within and/or without the hospital compound, and the closure of wharves by protesters in Georgetown. The commission will, in addition, investigate and report on: ** the protest activities which resulted in breaches of the law and the Police reaction thereto at ministries/departments of Central Government and other agencies including but not necessarily limited to: i. Agriculture ii Finance iii Magistrate/High Courts and related departments iv Public Hospital Georgetown v Inland Revenue Department vi Customs and Excise Department vii Wharves ** the forced entry into the Guyana Public Service Union headquarters on Regent Street, Bourda; ** the causes why the ferry vessels M.V. Barima (Essequibo) and the M.V Makouria (Berbice) were rendered unserviceable upon the commencement of the strike or thereabouts; ** the unlawful acts and actions by protesters perpetrated against Customs and Excise officers in the execution of their duties at Customs Boat House and other sites in Georgetown in June 1999, and the several attacks on Policemen in the course of their duties; ** the activities of Tuesday, June 15, 1999, including -
explosive device allegedly thrown at Bhena's Store, Regent Street; The Commission will sit with "such frequency and for such period as the Honourable Judge may determine so as to conclude on or before Friday the 30th day of July, 1999, subject to such extension, if any, that may be granted by Her Excellency the President." Hearings are to be conducted at the Public Service Appellate Tribunal Building on Brickdam from 0:900 hrs daily and continuing for such period as the judge may determine. The instrument says the Commission of Inquiry shall establish and regulate its own proceedings and shall be governed by the Commissions of Inquiry Act under which it has been appointed. The Secretary of the Commission will be a lawyer from the Attorney General's Chambers or the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions. The President's instrument also states: "Whereas it is provided by section 2 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, Cap. 19:03 that the President may issue a Commission appointing one or more commissioners and authorising such commission or commissioners to inquire into any matter in which an inquiry would, in the opinion of the President, be for the public welfare; And Whereas I am of the opinion that it would be for the public welfare that a public inquiry should be held into the matters set out hereunder, Now therefore, by virtue of the powers conferred upon me by the aforesaid provision of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, I do by this Commission appoint and authorise...Honourable Mr Justice Carl Singh who is hereby appointed to conduct the Inquiry, and who shall exercise all the powers conferred upon him by the High Court Act Cap. 3:02 for the purpose of this Inquiry." 
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