Bartica police yesterday received unconfirmed reports about a minibus without a licence plate being spotted at one of the Essequibo River crossings and this sparked heightened security watches.
Ranks from the Joint Services were seen traversing some streets of Bartica and commanding residents to return home and remain indoors. Sources from Bartica related to Stabroek News that the police had received information that bandits could possibly be in the area and so they were keeping a look-out. Up to press time last night, the ranks were said to be on high alert but no arrests were made.
As the gateway to the mining interior, Bartica has had brushes with the upsurge in robberies in the Cuyuni/Mazaruni region. An October 2 attack by an armed gang against a Puruni mining camp during which three Brazilians were shot and several other persons robbed and beaten sent shockwaves through Bartica. Several bandits and at least one hostage died by drowning after a getaway boat capsized and several of the attackers were later apprehended and charged.
