Chairman of the Upper Corentyne Fishermen’s Co-op Society and Berbice Anti-Piracy Committee (BAPC) Pravinchandra Deodat has defended the decision by his group to hand over five Guyanese men caught carrying out a pirate attack in the Corentyne River to authorities in Suriname.
The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has voiced its concern over statements by Deodat alleging that the inaction of the Coast Guard led to the BAPC handing over the pirates to Surinamese authorities following attacks on Tuesday.
“The GDF is concerned that alleged perpetrators of acts of piracy in Guyana’s waters were handed over to Surinamese authorities instead of Guyanese authorities for investigation and prosecution,” the GDF said in a statement afterward.
But according to Deodat, at the time when the pirates were caught, the Surinamese police were present and the BAPC members saw it “fittest” that the pirates were handed over to them.
He added that the committee and Surinamese law enforcement have a good relationship when it comes to protecting fishermen. Deodat applauded the lawmen for their prompt response and indicated that they would be looking at ways to strengthen their relationship and continue working together to see piracy reduced on the Corentyne River.
Berbice fishermen had told this newspaper that they took the course of action because they were fed up at the inaction of the authorities to reports of piracy and the continuing attacks they have been forced to endure. Such attacks over the years have left many fishermen dead or injured.
Deodat along with committee members say that on many occasions when they contact Coast Guard members based at Number 63 Village Corentyne, they would always get excuses. They said that many times the Coastguardsmen would say they do not have vessels to go out at sea and they also decline to go with the fishers on their vessels, explaining that they would have to contact headquarters.
The fishermen believe that many pirate attacks are taking place because of such excuses and the lack of patrol on the river by the Coast Guard.
Additionally, the members of the committee told Stabroek News that it is not too late for members of the GDF to come forward and offer assistance to them.
They also called on the Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee to lend assistance, saying they need a larger boat since their current vessel has inadequate space.
The pirates, who were robbing a fishing boat, were intercepted by members of the BAPC, who exchanged fire with them before managing to overpower and arrest them. The pirates had earlier used a gun and cutlasses to rob two fishing vessels in Suriname waters of fish, fish glue, groceries and other articles after beating the captains and crew members. The vessels belong to fishermen from the No 66 Fisheries Complex.
Stabroek News was told that four of the pirates, who were apprehended in the vicinity of Eversham by the BAPC, are from Number 43 Village and the other from Albion.
They have yet to be charged since they were handed over. The Suriname lawmen are also interrogating the pirates in connection with the recent murder of two fishers and for other piracy attacks.
