The Joint Services have not produced ground-breaking results in the investigations into the two recent massacres, Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon conceded yesterday.
At his post-cabinet media briefing Luncheon acknowledged that the apprehension of the perpetrators would be the end point and “to the extent that this is not taking place, we have not produced.”
However Luncheon said government was satisfied with the progress of the servicemen in unravelling the circumstances and all of the plans and operations which led to the killings.
He added that the responses by the public as well as the relatives of the victims of the two incidents have led to the piecing together of a pretty good picture of what happened and how it happened.
“We are highly expectant that this phase will be cracked and the perpetrators brought to justice,” he added. Luncheon also told reporters that government was satisfied with the work of the acting Commissioner of Police and other members of the disciplined services.
Many persons have been arrested in relation to the massacres, but only one person, 19-year-old James Hyles of Friendship, East Coast Demerara has been charged with the Lusignan murders.
Wanted bulletins were also issued for six men but only one of them has turned himself in, faced questioning and has since been released.
At least six Barticians have been questioned in relation to the Bartica killings since police are said to be working on the theory that the gunmen received assistance from members of the community considering their well planned operation and ability to navigate the Essequibo River after the attack.
Many have said that the Essequibo River is difficult for any strange boat captain to sail through, more so at nights.
However the Barticians faced days of interrogation and have since been released.
The Joint Services in a statement on Wednesday night said they recovered a 12-gauge shotgun at an abandoned camp five days ago at Bucktown, Wismar which is the first tangible bit of evidence that the gang or parts of it escaped via Region 10.
The weapon has since been confirmed as one of those stolen from the home of Bartica miner, Chunilall Baboolall on February 17. The lawmen also said they found a Guyana passport and NIS card in the name of Baboolall, along with a quantity of eating utensils, a searchlight, a green tarpaulin, a hacksaw blade, and an empty plastic water container, among other articles.
A large contingent of military personnel had descended on Wisroc, Linden shortly after the massacre at Bartica combing the area for any traces of the gang. The search was abandoned some three hours after even as Linden residents were advised to stay in their homes.
Prior to the Joint Services entering Linden, information was received that a number of men had robbed a truck that came out of the interior the day following the Bartica attack.
The men took cash and jewellery from the persons in the truck but no shots were fired.
