Chairman of Region Four, Daniel Seeram has made a formal report of assault against Regional Executive Officer of the Region (REO), Donald Gajraj.
In a statement to the press, Seeram said he made a formal report to the police at the Beterverwagting Police Station on Mashramani Day.
Seeram was involved in a tussle with Gajraj, who was chairing the region’s flag raising ceremony on Tuesday afternoon.
Gajraj when contacted yesterday by this newspaper, said he was not in position to speak but could be contacted today.
The incident occurred after Seeram had addressed the audience and diverted from the agenda of the programme. He, at the time, invited Member of Parliament and Member of the Alliance for Change Cathy Hughes to make some brief remarks.
In a letter published in Thursday’s edition of Stabroek News, Seeram detailed what took place.
“As the atmosphere of peace, love, and unity enveloped the audience, I noticed that the programme was predominantly male-dominated and, therefore, invited the Hon. Catherine Hughes MP to give brief remarks and add diversity. This announcement was well-received by the audience, who all applauded in approval.
“However, the afternoon’s activity was marred by the inappropriate and vile actions of the Government’s Regional Executive Officer (REO), Gajraj, who insisted that Mrs. Hughes could not speak and further tried to snatch the microphone from my hand as I stood at the podium.
“To add further insult to the situation, the REO behaved intolerably in the presence of the Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Frank Anthony MP, other Members of Parliament, members of the joint services, school children, and other local, regional, and national stakeholders.”
The letter continued, “In response to this foul act, I withdrew from the ceremony so as to not partake in what was moved from an anniversary ceremony to now a political circus. The behaviour of the REO shocked all and left a feeling of concern to all present.”
A video of the incident was later shared on Facebook. In the video, Gajraj could be seen stretching his hands to collect the microphone from Seeram but Seeram held on to the microphone. As he was about to walk away from the podium, Gajraj walked up to him and accosted him in an attempt to retrieve the microphone.
“You hand me the mike man, you are not chairing this meeting, I am chairing this meeting. I am the chairman of this meeting. You are very disrespectful…” Gajraj could be heard saying in the video.
When he managed to secure the microphone from Seeram and returned to the podium, Gajraj told the audience, “There is a programme and she is not on the programme… We need to stick with the programme.”
“Yesterday [Tuesday], I was in disbelief at what I saw, I was shocked at such uncivilized behaviour, but I was also strengthened and encouraged to stamp it out and ensure it is not repeated. I will not rest until such behaviour is eradicated from the Demerara-Mahaica Region and the Cooperative Republic of Guyana at large,” Seeram vowed in his letter.
He used the opportunity to call on the government to take disciplinary measures against Gajraj.
“To the government, the REO has demonstrated that he is not fit for the office he holds, and has brought disrespect and embarrassment to himself, the RDC and the people of Guyana. The ball is in your court to deal with this situation as the public looks on for the necessary corrective measures.”
