Police ranks to be transferred -Jagdeo Vehicles promised for patrols

By Jeune Bailey Van-Keric
Stabroek News
June 7, 2001

President Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday announced that police ranks will be transferred from much maligned stations on the Corentyne and he promised vehicles for cop patrols and to aid community crime busting groups.

His declarations came at a mammoth meeting of crime-besieged residents of Corentyne at the Albion Sports Complex and later in the afternoon at a meeting of representatives from villages all along the Corentyne.

His journey to his party's stronghold came after five days of protests against widespread crime convulsed the Corentyne coast and resulted in the killing by police of a man and the shooting of others after a crowd attacked the Albion Police Station on Monday evening with bottle bombs and bricks.

In addition to the shooting death of Mohamed Shamshudeen, the protests led to the blocking of traffic and an assault on New Amsterdam Magistrate Krishndat Persaud. Residents say they were driven to stage the protests as a result of police inaction on three dozen armed and brutal robberies along the Corentyne in the period just before and after general elections on March 19.

In addressing the mammoth gathering at the Albion Sports Complex, the President urged those in attendance to be supportive so that Berbice can go forward. ``Everyday I am involved in a fight in Georgetown to move the country forward. I have the Opposition who is not accepting that they have lost (the elections), I have (ROAR leader) Ravi Devi who calls for power sharing, and the PNC street protestors. If they were to get in power, think what they will do, I know you are all supporters of the PPP/C, so don't allow others to infiltrate, as their purposes differ, be supportive.'' ''There is no power sharing, there will be no opposition in the Cabinet', said the Head of State to thunderous cheers from the crowd, estimated to be about 10,000. He expressed concern and warned the aggrieved residents that although they have a legitimate reason for staging protests, they need to be watchful.

He further urged them to desist from excessive drinking which could influence them to harm others and offers no solution to their problems.

The President condemned some sections of the electronic media for distorting the reason behind the Albion protests. He noted that the unrest should not be compared with that at Buxton, as it is a different scenario, and, he rebutted reports that the government allowed the police to harrass the East Coast residents, while allowing the protestors to have their way on the Corentyne coast. The protestors had earlier given the Head of State a document which listed several issues that should be addressed and implemented urgently.

The leaflet said that the protest by the people against the lack of action on the recent crime wave and the general unprofessional conduct of the police has led to the murder of Mohamed Shamshudeen (a staunch Muslim and not a Hindu as misreported in yesterday's edition) and the wounding of many others. High on the list, was the replacement of all officers at the Albion Police Station which the President later said would happen. In addition, at the meeting with village representatives later in the afternoon he said that officers from Whim and the Rose Hall outpost would also be transferred.

Other demands at the Albion Sports Complex were an adequate number of gun licences to be issued to qualified persons, an Independent Commission to enquire into the killing of Shamshudeen and the release of Inderjeet, B. Madan, H.Matadin, and N.Nathoor who were imprisoned for protecting their properties. Other demands included an Independent Civilian Committee to monitor police activities in Berbice. increased numbers of officers on duty at night, vehicles to be available to the police to respond to crimes and compensation of all victims of the police shooting at Albion starting from June 4, 2001.

Also on their list was that vigilante groups should be assigned one weapon and one police liaison, the upgrading of the staffing and capabilities of the Berbice Police and a committee to be appointed to oversee the implementation of these demands.

There were other requests which residents wanted addressed within three years. These included an independent Police Force for Berbice. Such a force has to reflect the ethnic make up of Berbice (75% Indian - 25% African). Additionally, the Berbice Force must have its own Police Commissioner and be empowered to issue gun licences with tailored criteria for Berbice. A militia or home guard to be instituted in each village was also on the list together with stiffer penalties against "kick-down-the-door'' crimes including death sentences for all gang members in cases of murder and life sentences in cases with no murders.

The President, after looking at the document announced that with immediate effect the staff at the Albion Police Station would be removed and a committee would be appointed to work directly with him.

He quoted Deputy Police Commissioner Winston Felix, as saying that the members of the force have to have an attitudinal change. Dealing with the issue of licences, he noted that persons must have a legitimate cause for it. The gathering apparently not pleased with the response, began shouting,'' Gajraj must go'', even as Jagdeo assured them that the Home Affairs Minister was not at fault. He reminded them that the Minister had three meetings last Sunday with them and was threatened and stoned.

The demand for the release of those in custody cannot be promised, as investigations have to take place, the president stated. Community policing groups are to come on stream and persons of good character and without a police record will be trained.

Addressing the suggestion of the inclusion of more Indians in the police force, he noted that there are no restrictions in recruitment and called on those desiring to be enlisted to apply. Earlier, the president's announcement of the construction of an airport aback Albion brought sonorous cheers from the thousands, gathered at the complex notwithstanding the glaring midday sun.

While some chose to be seated in the stands, as they listened from the loudspeakers, others opted to stand in the fields, covering themselves with umbrellas and hats and expressing disagreement and agreement with the president's presentation.

Nevertheless, they expressed satisfaction that their voices were heard, and said they were looking forward to having their demands met. Persons were then notified that they should form themselves into village groups in order to appoint a leader who would be a member of the committee which will have a direct link with the president. As this was being done, the President mingled with those gathered.

The names of 40 persons were subsequently announced as members of the committee to oversee the implementation of the demands earlier made. They later had a meeting with the President at the Albion Training Centre which the press was not allowed to cover. A release is expected to be issued shortly. However, sources say that following demands made at the meeting, the President agreed that once applications are made by the community policing groups and processed, two firearms would be issued to each group. Jeeps would also be provided to assist with police patrols in two shifts from 2 pm to 10 pm and 10 pm to 6 am. Further, resting quarters at the Albion Station would be renovated so that ranks could be properly accommodated there. Jagdeo promised to visit the area again later in the week and he identified two members of the committee to whom he gave a telephone number so that they could have direct contact with him.

While Home Affairs Minister Gajraj was not at the Sports Complex, he was at the Training Centre where the meeting was later held with the committee of 40. (With additional reporting by Gitanjali Singh)