Dear Editor,
I have been eagerly awaiting the news confirming that Mr. Ossie Rodgers has been charged in relation to the vicious and unwarranted assault on Ms. Bharrat over two weeks ago at Bath Settlement at her work place while discharging her duties on her employer’s premises. Unfortunately, it seems up to time of writing that the Police are conducting themselves in such an opaque manner that most objective persons would conclude that there is a barefaced attempt to avoid charging Mr. Rogers who it has been reported hastily left the country.
I am heartened that some individuals and groups have made strident calls for charges to be laid and for Ms Bharrat’s assailant to face her in the court however there have been some notable exceptions that is, the normally vocal Ms Indra Chandarpal, head of the Women and Gender Equality Commission and the women arms of the political parties who are vocal from time to time when it is convenient to them.
Editor for the benefit of myself and the general public I would like answers to the following questions from the Police authorities, the DPP’s office, Attorney General, the Women Lawyers association etc:
1) What is the current state of the Police investigation into this matter?
2) Can the Police charge Mr. Rodgers in absentia? If so when will this happen?
3) If no charges will be filed then why not?
4) Should the Police decide not to proceed can the DPP intervene and advise the Police to charge the alleged assailant Mr. Ossie Rodgers?
5) Given the nature of this matter can the Police not issue an arrest warrant so that if he attempts to set foot again in Guyana he can be arrested at a port of entry to face charges in court?
There is a strong perception in the public particularly in the Bath area with the persons I spoke to that because Mr. Rodgers once worked for a sitting Government Minister that he may be protected therefore, it is incumbent on the Commissioner of Police and the Home Affairs Minister to look into this matter with alacrity to ensure that justice is done.
In closing I strongly suggest to Ms. Bharrat that she retains an attorney to look after her interest in this matter and if she can’t afford one the legal aid system should kick in.
Yours sincerely,
C. Persaud
