Police identify man who threw grenade
by Wendella Davidson
Guyana Chronicle
AN EAST Coast Demerara resident was yesterday identified as the person who threw a grenade at Police ranks, during an incident outside the Finance Ministry on June 10 last. Police eyewitness Constable Oswald Perry, attached to the Tactical Services Unit (TSU), Georgetown, described the individual as "a tall Negro man". Perry, one of two witnesses who testified before the Commission of Inquiry headed by Justice Carl Singh, to probe the violence which plagued the almost two-month old public sector pay strike, said he knew the man to be a resident of Ann's Grove. Recounting the events of that day and led in evidence by Attorney-at-Law, Denis Hanomansingh, counsel for the Police, Perry said at the time he was standing with colleagues in a "square formation" as instructed by his Commanding Officer, Deputy Superintendent Albert Connell. He observed the man who was on the western half of the Main Street carriageway, opposite the Ministry of Finance building, put his right hand into his right side pocket, take out "a green object", carried out an action as if he was pulling out something and then flung it in the avenue towards the Police. The witness said he followed the object with his eyes and saw it hit Constable Marshall, a member of his unit, on the head before falling between him and Marshall. After it landed on the grass, he saw it was a grenade. Asked whether he had ever seen a grenade before, Perry said "Yes, on television". The witness said the matter was reported to officers when he returned to TSU base later in the afternoon, and was subsequently taken to Officer Connell. He said that accompanied by Inspector Fraser and others, he visited the house at Ann's Grove where he remembered the man lived, but neighbours said had had removed. Earlier, Constable Seeraj Baichu, testified how he was injured outside the Finance Ministry, on the same day. He recounted how on the day in question, at about 14:30 hrs, a crowd of about 60 persons constantly abused the Police and threatened to kill them. The witness said members of the crowd began pelting bricks and bottles and had become uncontrollable. Noticing a male dressed in a black shirt and pants, with bricks in hand, he suggested to other ranks with him that the man should be arrested. But as they were about to do so, someone shouted "Look the Police coming" and the man ran away. Then he stopped, turned and pelted three bricks. One missed, another hit Constable Noble and a third hit the witness himself. The witness said the man was then pursued, caught and taken to the Brickdam Police Station. Baichu alleged that after the incident, Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) official Dr. Anwar Hussein, told him "If is war you all want, war gon start now". Hussein, the witness added, further urged the crowd to "Get lime and salt and knife and bore the Police" and "Kill the f...ing Police". The crowd repeatedly chanted those threats. At Thursday's sitting too, Lance Corporal Ryan Roberts told the Commission that on June 9, he was issued with a bag containing 20 teargas smoke cartridges, a 1.5 pistol for firing the cartridges and a helmet. The items were given to him by Lance Corporal Donald Harry of the TSU Arms Room. Roberts said he and others were taken outside of the Ministry of Finance, where there was a problem. As he was about to arrest a protester, the strap of the bag which hung over his shoulder snapped and it fell to the ground. A tear smoke canister fell out, and it was picked up by another rank and returned to him. Roberts said that all the items with which he was issued were returned to the Arms Room. Lance Corporal Harry, in his testimony, admitted giving out the issue and making a record in the Arms Book. He recalled, too, giving Roberts two cylindrical tear smoke grenades. Another policeman, Constable Stephon Noble, who also testified on Thursday, said he too was injured on the elbow from a brick thrown from the crowd. Yesterday's testimony concluded evidence on the Ministry of Finance incident. When the Commission of Inquiry re-convenes at 09:00 hrs Monday, Justice Carl Singh will listen to evidence in relation to incidents at the Ministry of Agriculture.
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