Two months after recommendations were made for those killed and injured when police opened fire at Linden last July to be awarded various sums of money, government is still to make the payouts but says it is preparing to do so.
Attorney General Anil Nandlall has assured by way of a letter addressed to attorney at law Nigel Hughes that “the government is actively making arrangements to pay the compensation as per the recommendations”. The letter dated May 2, 2013 was in acknowledgment of two letters penned by Hughes who was the attorney representing the relatives of Ron Somerset, 18, Shemroy Bouyea, 24, and Allan Lewis, 46 who were killed that day. Those letters were dated March 12, 2013 and April 29, 2013.
Nandlall in his acknowledgement letter reminded Hughes that even before President Donald Ramotar commissioned the inquiry “into the unfortunate events which occurred at Linden…the government committed absolutely to implement and give effect to any and all recommendations which would have been emanated from the said inquiry. That position remains unchanged”.
It is unclear when the arrangements would be finalized to ensure that the monies recommended are paid out.
It was following months of testimony from relatives of those shot and killed, those injured and those who suffered property loss or damage that the commissioners made their recommendations which were contained in a report. The report was handed over to the president at the end of February.
With regards to the deceased, the commissioners analyzed the contributions in terms of earnings made to their families and recommended compensation of $3 million to Bouyea’s estate, $3 million to Lewis’ estate and $2 million to Somerset’s estate. Those sums have been severely criticized and described as inadequate.
In the report on its findings and recommendations the COI found the police responsible for the deaths of the three persons killed. It also said that the discharge of ammunition was justified as the police were confronted by a hostile crowd and noted that there was no clear intention to kill or injure anyone.
On that day police opened fire and discharged tear smoke in the vicinity of Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge on July 18, 2012, during the first day of what was intended to be a five-day protest over the planned hike in electricity tariffs for the town.
Compensation for the injured was recommended based on the varying circumstances, including the fact that policeman Assistant Superintendent Patrick Todd knew that in discharging rounds it would ricochet into the crowd. But the commission noted that the awards are a favour rather than a legal obligation.
