The three Ministry of Housing workers accused of attacking a couple at Industry on Friday, said contrary to reports they were the ones abused by the couple while carrying out their duties as employees of the Central Housing and Planning Autho-rity (CH&PA).
Ovid Khemraj, Linden Smith and David Lord said despite reports published in Saturday’s edition of Stabroek News Bryan Gopaul and his reputed wife verbally and physically attacked them while they were erecting a CH&PA sign on a disputed plot of land at Crown Dam. On Monday, when contacted by Stabroek News, Gopaul, his wife and her father stood by their story that they had been attacked by the ministry employees. They had a meeting on Monday with the Ministry of Housing and they say they are expecting some form of compensation.
Gopaul and his reputed wife had alleged that the men had beaten them after they protested against the pulling down of their structure. The woman had said she suffered injuries to her head and other parts of her body after the beating. However, the three ministry workers told this newspaper that the woman may have been injured when two of them attempted to part a scuffle that had ensued between their colleague and the couple. They said that it was their third visit to the location as the couple had removed a Ministry of Housing sign informing them that the land was owned by the ministry and should not be trespassed on. The men said too on two occasions they had removed a fence that the couple had erected and one time they removed a foundation for a building. They said on all occasions they had gone to the location on the instructions of Minister of Housing Harrynarine Nawbatt who usually signs the order to demolish and dismantle.
According to Lord on the said day he and Khemraj were dismantling the fence when a man, whom they later learnt was Gopaul, approached them with a cutlass stating that “somebody go f…king dead today.” He said at the time Smith who is the driver was in the vehicle. “I cautioned him and told him not to come further with the cutlass. I also told him that we were armed,” Smith said. He said Gopaul then proceeded to abuse them; informing them that the matter was before the court. Smith said he then told the man that he should visit the ministry as they were only following orders. He said by this time other residents from the area had gathered and had cautioned Gopaul who was now outside the fence. Smith said Gopaul then tossed the cutlass onto the road and proceeded to the roadway.
Lord said he then told Smith to get the camera from the vehicle so they could record what was transpiring. Smith said he was approaching Lord with the camera when Gopaul approached him and continued his verbal attack. He said he again cautioned the man and Gopaul responded with a punch and a scuffle ensued. Soon after the man’s reputed wife joined the fray and Lord, Khemraj and some residents rushed in to part the combatants.
Smith told this newspaper that he suffered some bruises and scratches and lost his gold chain. Lord said they contacted the police and gave statements at the Turkeyen Police Station. Gopaul was also taken to the station to make a statement.
