A businessman who has invested millions of dollars in the economy is contemplating quashing his venture over what he describes as “constant harassment” by traffic ranks.
Chatterpaul Ramischand who recently brought Shanklands Resort on the Essequibo River and is currently building a fish processing plant at Friendship, East Bank Demerara says that in recent weeks he was harassed and in two instances detained for minor traffic offences. Traumatized is the word he used to describe his present state of mind and he plans to bring private criminal charges against the police for wrongful imprisonment.
The businessman during an interview with Stabroek News last week, called for the laws governing the powers of the police to be immediately reviewed since “the police’s behaviour has gotten out of hands”.
He said that with the current law, the police have been able to manipulate their powers for their own personal development.
Contacted on Tuesday Traffic Chief Neil Semple in an invited comment said that he is not aware of any reports by the businessman and urged him to go into him as soon as possible. He said that once this is done swift action will be taken as the traffic department does not condone such actions by its ranks.
“We would not condone these lawless tactics… Once he comes in to me, we will launch an investigation almost immediately. We have nothing to hide”, Semple said.
Recalling one of his experiences, Ramischand stated that about three weeks ago after visiting his resort he was stopped by a senior police officer (name given) at Leonora and asked for his licence.
According to him he explained to the officer that he has several vehicles and he had forgotten it in one of them. According to Ramischand, the officer said that the failure to present the document was a serious offence and that he would have to be arrested.
The businessman told this newspaper that he even explained to the officer that he had just invested close to US$1 million in the resort and could get one of his drivers to bring the licence which he had left in a Bobcat he had recently purchased.
He was released that night on $10, 000 station bail after his lawyer intervened but not before being slapped with a failure to present a licence charge.
The businessman said that when he appeared in court the following day the matter was dismissed and the magistrate spoke of the police’s ‘high handed” action and the inconveniences they are causing citizens.
Another one of his experiences occurred last Wednesday outside the High Court. He told Stabroek News that because of the number of ranks on the road in the mornings which results in traffic jams he is forced to leave his Annandale, East Coast Demerara home before 5 am each day.
The man said that when he reached the High Court, a constable stopped the pick up truck he was driving and asked if he had a goods transportation licence.
Ramischand said that he was unaware that he needed to get that since the vehicle is used for his private business and not for transporting goods.
His response according to him did not go down well with the rank who asked if he knew the power of the police and that he could be locked up.
The businessman said that he told the rank that it was a petty matter but the rank responded that he was the law and that he (Ramischand) was guilty of an offence and would be imprisoned.
He said that after he was taken to the station the rank told him that the matter could have been settled outside.
“I am not prepared to bribe the police… They insult your dignity and intimidate you then you have to turn around and beg them”, the man said adding that his story is a common one in society but no one wants to speak out because they are afraid.
He added that he is “getting panic attacks” when he leaves home because he knows what he will have to endure at the hands of the traffic police.
Ramischand said that he had been enduring this harassment for about three years and two years ago he decided to leave the country and set up a fish processing plant in Suriname.
He told this newspaper that he wants to contribute to the country’s economic development and that is why he chose to return here. Ramischand stated that the fish business is his passion, his dream and his life and that’s why he decided to invest here.
“But I am contemplating my investments. My skills will have to be transferred to another country because I cannot cope with the harassment of the police”, the businessman lamented.
