In the light of new details emerging from the ongoing Linden Commission of Inquiry, the Youth Coalition for Transformation (YCT) is calling on President Donald Ramotar to dismiss Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee.
“President Ramotar should now be fully aware of the phone records produced as evidence to the Linden Commission of Inquiry, which established a clear line of communication between Minister Rohee… and Senior Superintendent Clifton Hicken… on July 18…,” a statement from the YCT said. The group questioned what conversation Rohee could have with Hicken on the Linden operations that he could not have had with acting Commissioner of Police Leroy Brumell.
According to the YCT, Rohee’s actions were not only disrespectful to Brumell, but also go against the force’s chain of command, since Hicken reports to the commissioner and the minister “should not be having conversations” with him on any operation matters, without first informing the commissioner.”
The statement said Brumell in his testimony to the Commission said he issued no orders to Hicken because “he has a short temper” and Hicken “must say why he lied to the commission about not having any conversation with Minister Rohee.”
Further, the YCT questioned the reason for giving Brumell the job of leading the Guyana Police Force if Rohee has no confidence in his ability to do so. “What was the conversation between Superintendent Hicken and Minister Rohee about? Who instructed Hicken to instruct ASP Todd to open fire on the crowd which included women and children?” the YCT further questioned.
The statement recalled that a motion of no confidence was passed by the opposition in the National Assembly against Rohee, and was not honoured by Ramotar and the YCT said that the president should do so now.
