Dear Editor,
In a recent report from the Guyana Information Agency (GINA) the Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Clement Rohee, was reported as saying “…there is no credible information that there has been any-re-emerging of the ‘phantom’ gangs in Guyana.
Firstly, I must commend the Minister for admitting that the “death squad”, indeed, existed within recent times. This admitting must be seen as an encouraging move if we are to really get to the bottom of this spiralling crime wave, which has engulfed the nation.
Despite the fact that such a statement comes from the Minister years after Mr Corbin and the PNCR have provided all kinds of credible information to confirm same the government remained intransigent on the matter as it failed to entertain that party’s relenting call to have an investigation into the scores of slayings and massacres which began since 2002-2003. Anyway, as the saying goes “open confession is good for the soul”.
As Guyanese, who are eager to see an end to crime, brutality and senseless killing of innocent citizens, we must now demand a full and impartial investigation into all the killings since 2002, and the brazen violence which created havoc on the East Coast, and other parts of the country since then.
While we are happy that the Minister, Ronald Gajraj, who was at the centre of the death squad controversy is no longer, at least not by official designation, associated with the Ministry of Home Affairs, thanks to Corbin and the PNCR, we must call on Minister Rohee to outline to us how his approach to dealing with this crime situation will assure Guyanese that his strategy will not be one free of the phantom gang allegation.
This becomes even more necessary now, since there are emerging situations which resemble that of the notorious “death squad period, 2002-2004”.
The recent slaying of Marcyn King, sister of an alleged mastermind of the recent massacres, painted a picture of revenge killing similar to the revenge killing of George Bacchus, late death squad informant. What is even more mind boggling is the fact that one day after the Bartica massacre the Minister and President were able to determine that the same group who created mayhem at Lusignan were responsible for the Bartica killing. As to the question as to who killed Marcyn King the government seem distantly removed from the urgency to determine the killer. One therefore, may assume that the level of interest in finding the murderers may vary depending on some factors, not known to ordinary Guyanese, hence speculation will be surfacing. Weeks after King’s death we are yet to hear whether or not the same gang was responsible for her death. This reminds me of the slaying of Ronald Waddell, and so many others whose murder may never be fully investigated.
Other situations which begin to mirror the phantom squad period is the recent killing of George Barton. And now the disappearance of businessman, Farouk Kalamadeen, of Jiffi Lubes, reminds one of the numerous young men who remained absent from their homes after they disappeared during that infamous time.
So, Mr Minister there are legitimate reasons for Guyanese to question the resurfacing of the death squad, the scenario today looks very much like the ones that existed during that time. Please assure us that this is not so, not only by words but by a careful outline of your strategy.
We cannot be forced to relive this most frightful period in our recent history. None of us deserve to suffer more fear.
Yours faithfully,
Lurlene Nestor
