-criticize continued joint service harassment
With a mixture of anger and sadness enveloping the atmosphere, hundreds of Barticians turned out in large numbers yesterday to bid their final farewell to the late Dweive Kant Ramdass, the young gold dealer who met his demise allegedly at the hands of three Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard ranks last week.
Funeral proceedings for the young man got underway shortly after 2 pm yesterday following the arrival of the remains of the 24 year old from Georgetown. His body was flown into the Region Seven community by the GDF’s Skyvan, which made a few low passes over the mining community on arrival in the area.
When Stabroek News arrived at Bartica yesterday morning, residents at various points around the community were voicing their lack of confidence in the security forces. At First Avenue, where most of the businesses are located, vendors where united in their call for the administration to examine the functions and commitment of the security forces where the safety of Guyanese populace is concerned. According to Amanda, a food vendor selling next to the Cool Breeze area, the death of Ramdass has shocked the community to the core. She said before the young man’s death, she would praise the Joint Services, particularly army ranks, whenever the units carry out spot exercises across the country. She noted, however, the gruesome death of the young man has left a bitter taste in her mouth, noting, “It is more than shameful.”
Over at the Vendor’s Arcade where Ramdass occupied a stall along with his brother, the young man’s friends stared at photos of him, some of which were posted on their vehicles in his memory. His older brother, Vasu Ramdass, told this newspaper yesterday at Bartica that his brother’s death is “just the tip of the iceberg.” He said he and other residents in the community are constantly harassed by members of the GDF, stationed at Bartica, noting that the officers usually undertake exercises in the community, “as if them is the police.” He said many times persons in the area, particularly miners, are targeted by the officers who demand money and other forms of payment whenever persons are found “on the wrong side of the law.” His views were substantiated by other residents, and according to some persons, there are many occasions when the army officers would venture into mining camps along the Potaro Road and harass Brazilian miners working in the area.
‘Bitter tears’
Over at the Light House Assembly of God Church on Sixth Avenue, Ramdass’ relatives cried bitter tears when his body arrived at that location. The coffin bearing his remains was first driven through the streets of the mining community before proceeding to a tent which was erected in the yard of his sister’s residence, close to the churchyard. Scores of residents, some of whom travelled many miles to get a glimpse of his body, rushed towards the vehicle which transported his body as it arrived at the tent. They were soon disappointed when the man’s elder brother Stephen Persaud, related that his brother’s remains was wrapped in a cloth because of the decomposing state of his body. Soon after, pall bearers hoisted the coffin into the church as emotions ran high.
The church service got underway a little behind schedule, and was attended by the young and the old; many persons stated that they decided to attend the event because of the manner in which Ramdass met his demise. Chief of Staff of the GDF, Commodore Gary Best, who arrived by helicopter a few minutes earlier was accompanied by several ranks of the army, including members of the Coast Guard and on entering the church, Best approached the coffin and spent several minutes there.
‘Forgiveness’
Commodore Best, addressing those gathered, asked Ramdass’ family as well as the Bartica community to forgive the GDF for not being able to detect those among its ranks who committed the dastardly act that resulted in the young man’s demise. He commended the family members for the strength and fortitude they drew from their faith in God. Best said that although he had never previously met or known Ramdass, he felt the strength of the love and adoration of the young man’s family for the loved one they have lost.
As the time moved on, the church was filled beyond capacity, with sympathizers lining the church yard. At this time, residents could be heard discussing the young man’s life, with most of the older folks reminiscing how quiet he was. His uncle, Ashok Ramdass, in a fit of anger, told Stabroek News that his nephew was always the baby of the family. He said the deceased was well loved by his brothers and sisters, noting that since the siblings’ father passed away in 2004, the family members’ love for each other was strengthened. Their mother passed away when Ramdass was a child. His uncle added, “Today no one knows the functions of the army and police. No matter what they say to us today, this will always be on our minds.”
Dweive Kant Ramdass, the youngest of nine siblings, leaves to mourn his four brothers and four sisters. His remains were interred at the Bartica cemetery.