Three people—a man and two women—have been arrested in connection with the slaying of Berbice narcotics detective Jirbahan Dianand, even as he was laid to rest yesterday afternoon at the Number 55 Village cemetery.
Dianand, 23, of Lot 70 Number 64 Village, Corentyne, received a full military-style funeral, including a gun-salute, after he was handed over to the police by his family. Before handing over the body, the family had kept a funeral service according to Hindu rites.
Dianand, a detective constable, was found murdered last Friday morning in an execution-style killing at Jackson Creek, Corentyne. An autopsy revealed that he was shot twice—to the forehead and below his left ear.
Crime Chief Seelall Persaud told Stabroek News yesterday that based on information received the police had arrested three people. He did not go into details about the link between them and the murdered policeman, but said that an employee of one of the trio was found murdered on a farm in Berbice earlier this year.
Persaud said that to date, police have been unable to determine why the policeman was killed. He had said earlier that investigators were working with the theory that he knew his killer.
During the funeral service yesterday at his parents’ home, Dianand’s colleagues were attired in their ceremonial outfits, and carried his casket, which was draped with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) flag.
Dianand’s mother broke down in wails along with other relatives and friends while they viewed the body. His father also shed tears and the atmosphere during the ceremony was sombre.
Dianand, who was stationed at the Moleson Creek Police Outpost and attached to the Narcotics Section, had been gaining a reputation over drugs busts he made and his ability to find drugs hidden in vehicles.
“Today, I stand with a heavy [heart] to pay tribute to a peace officer who served with distinction,” acting ‘B’ Division Commander Eric Bassant said in a tribute.
Bassant recalled that Dianand joined the force on May 6, 2009, after receiving training. He was positioned at ‘B’ Division in December that year in the Criminal Investigation Department because of his ability and potential to investigate. In 2010, he said, Dianand continued to serve the police force and successfully completed several courses in crime fighting and narcotics investigation.
“He had several cases that are now before the court,” he emphasised, before extending sincere sympathy to the family on behalf of the ‘B’ Division and the entire GPF.
The funeral service was attended by police officers from the various stations in the division. The police band marched from Number 58 Village to the Number 55 Village mausoleum.
Also in attendance at the funeral service were Regional Chairman David Armogan, Director of the University of Guyana Berbice campus Professor Daizal Samad and a representative from the Alliance For Change. University of Guyana students also turned out in their numbers as they bid farewell to Dianand, who was a second-year student.
