Dear Editor,
Please allow me to air my views in your newspaper in relation to the recent update (in reference to advice of the DPP) on the desecration of the Murphy Dam Cemetery in Rosignol Village, West Berbice.
We the aggrieved relatives of those whose graves were desecrated were invited to meet with Police Commander Simon on Thursday 25th January, 2024 (@4:00pm) at the Blairmont Police Station in relation to the said issue. We were addressed and briefed by the Commander that the DPP had returned the file and advised/instructed the Police that no charges are to be instituted against the contractor who is responsible for desecrating the final resting places of our loved ones.
The Commander explained that the reason given by the DPP was there was not sufficient evidence against the contractor for criminal charges to be preferred.
Now with all due respect, on behalf of all the aggrieved relatives I would like to play the Devil’s Advocate and extend an invitation to the Madam DPP to please come visit this cemetery and see with her own eyes the devastation and maybe, just maybe she will see/find the actual evidence! For in “our view” the desecration and unaccounted for graves is all the evidence needed for now to start an intense and thorough investigation in order to put together a case against this contractor.
Notably, we cannot produce any human remains in the form of bones or such; nor can we provide pieces of stone from tombs, wood or cloth in relation to coffins. But we do have videos showing tac tac boards, as in Muslim burial and pieces of broken concrete from desecrated tombs. These videos were shared via social media and saved by concerned parties.
There also seems to be some speculation and accusations as to we the aggrieved relatives not knowing exactly where our loved ones were laid to rest, this conclusion is derived from an article published by Stabroek News on December 4th, 2023 where it is reported that the contractor claims “No Grave was damaged in removal of sand” and he further stated “that persons from the area offered to identify the grave for relatives who were not present during the burial of their loved ones, which he claimed is still there and added that a DNA test could easily prove that the grave is of their relatives.”
This is utterly preposterous! We have always identified the area where our loved ones’ graves or tombs once existed before the excavation. Finding those tombs is not possible now, as the land was dug up along with tombs, same with those deceased who were buried and not entombed and the sand (evidence) was removed! There has been speculation that the sand was transported to the new housing scheme being built at Shieldstown, just a stone’s throw away from this cemetery. If this is true, then finding any skeletal remains now will be futile as streets have already been paved over where the land was filled with reef sand.
I would like to emphatically state that we the concerned/aggrieved parties are not suffering from Amnesia nor Alzheimer’s, we are all in full control of our mental capacity! Thus, we will not allow anyone to try to pull the wool over our eyes and try to deceive and mislead us and John Public by suggesting otherwise; when they themselves were not present at the funeral nor burial; as with reference to my mother’s Jannaza. I can provide many witnesses who did the actual burial. Also we used an existing grave at the location with the person’s name as our marker for that person was buried there a few months before her and she was laid to rest (besides him) December 2021.
The heart and soul of this entire sad ordeal is whilst we are waiting for answers the trail is getting cold. Furthermore, the burning question on every one of us – the aggrieved relatives’ mind is – Where are the remains of our loved ones?
Having the answer to this question will at least bring some sort of closure to us. For to us these remains are not just flesh and bones, cloth, wood and stone….it is our loved ones remains! They may be of no relevance to others but for us it is a part of our legacy and lineage. Let me ask you the public if it was your loved ones what would have been your reaction? How would you want this matter dealt with? It is often said that “You can commit injustice by doing nothing!”
We strongly believe that this entire situation was not treated with urgency nor given the priority it deserved and no proper investigation was carried out, for from day one, all work should have been suspended at the housing scheme until the investigations were concluded. But it seems like it was taken lightly and treated more as a case of “He Said/She Said” and as such justice has been delayed and denied! But if you “Rejoice over injustice because it favours you, one day you shall cry for justice and it will elude you!”
In closing, I would like to capture the readers’ attention with this vital piece of information. Please note that on the same land that is in dispute since October of last year as to the ownership of this burial site; which was dug up and a section refilled by the contractor, there now exists at least four newly dug graves on that exact piece of land for which ownership is claimed by the contractor. These graves came into existence between December 24th, 2023 to January 25th, 2024. I know this for a fact because myself and family visited this burial site on December 23rd 2023 and no grave was on that piece of refilled land! However, upon visiting with a group including two reporters on January 26th 2024 we all witnessed the newly dug graves. Photographs and videos were taken, of course. Now my point is; if this land belongs to the contractor how can the NDC still collect fees and allow persons to be buried there? Wouldn’t this escalate more problems as to the right to bury on a land not owned by the state?
I urge any person who has even a miniscule bit of interest or curiousity in this entire unfortunate saga to go take a visit at this burial site and see with your own eyes, maybe then you will understand our devastation and frustration.
Finally, I would like to close with the following quotes from the Quran: “Oh you who believe, stand firm for justice even against your own selves.” (Surat An-Nisa 4:135) The Prophet (SAW) said: – “Any Man whom Allah has given the authority of ruling some people and he does not look after them in an honest manner, will Never feel even the smell of Paradise” (Bukhari 7150) I would like to urge every one of you to never be afraid to raise your voices for honesty and truth and compassion, against injustice and lying and greed!
Thank you
Yours sincerely,
Juliet Dukhi
Social Advocate