Dear Editor,
The Guyana Police Force is responding to an article published in the Guyana Times on Friday, June 13, 2014 under the heading ‘Anna Regina man accuses Policeman of brutality.’
The article dealt with the allegation that Orlando Khandai of Anna Regina Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast, was beaten with a piece of wood by a policeman at a liquor restaurant at
Cotton Field, Essequibo Coast, on Wednesday June 11.
The Guyana Police Force is refuting the allegation and wishes to clarify that ranks from the Anna Regina Police Station had responded to a report of larceny which had been received at the station. On their arrival at the liquor restaurant they saw Orlando Khandai, against whom the report had been made, and consequently he was arrested.
It was observed that Orlando Khandai had visible signs of injury and when questioned as to how he had received them, he said that the bartender’s brother had lashed him with a piece of wood after accusing him of stealing some money from the shop. A brother of the bartender who was in the shop at the time was contacted by the police, but Orlando Khandai said that he was not the one who had assaulted him.
Orlando Khandai was taken to the Anna Regina Police Station where he was further questioned and later released. He subsequently received medical treatment at the Charity Hospital and the matters are presently under investigation.
Cognisant of the article in the newspaper, the police conducted investigations during which Orlando Khandai was contacted. He stated that at no time had any police rank assaulted him and
repeated his allegation that it was a brother of the bartender at the liquor restaurant on the night of the incident who had beaten him with a piece of wood.
The Guyana Police Force is deeply concerned over this erroneous and misleading article alleging police brutality, particularly at this time when we are being bombarded in the media with police issues.
Yours faithfully,
Ivelaw Whittaker
Public Relations and Press Officer
