A mini-bus conductor says that he got the shock of his life when six persons including four boys dressed in school uniform attacked and robbed him. The police later held the boys but stated that it was a problem with the fare and no robbery had occurred.
Mark Anthony Mootilall told Stabroek News that the four boys dressed in dark blue trousers and white shirts had boarded the bus at Den Amstel Old Road, West Coast Demerara, and requested to be dropped off at Uitvlugt Secondary School. Upon disembarking, he said, they grabbed the day’s earnings and ran away. He stated that when he attempted to pursue them they turned upon him and with the help of two other persons who were apparently waiting there on a bicycle, they attacked him. He retreated and while still assaulting him they began hitting the bus. He said that he managed to grab the bicycle and as they continued hitting the bus, he drove to the Leonora Police Station where a report was made. Bleeding from cuts sustained to his face he was taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital.
The driver of the bus, Andrew Hassan told this newspaper that he along with police ranks later returned to the area where they managed to capture the boys who named their accomplices. Hassan stated that they were taken back to the Leonora Police Station where they reportedly admitted to assaulting Mootilall but denied robbing him. He said that the police later released them.
When contacted an officer of the Leonora Police Station stated that there was no robbery but the schoolboys and Mootilall had some problems with the fare. The officer stated that the boys had paid but there was a problem with $20 which Mootilall refused to return. The officer said that as a result the boys attempted to grab the $20 from Mootilall. The officer further declared that the police never went for the boys but Hassan brought them to the station. The officer noted that the parents of the boys were contacted and they came and paid the fare and the boys were released. Hassan, however, said that he never received any money from anyone.
Mootilall, who was visibly upset, declared that “right now I frighten foh go back and wuk bus.” He stated that he was going to look for another job.