The Guyana Police Force yesterday denied disrupting a church service in Settlement, Mabaruma, Region One and arresting several members of the congregation, stating instead that a pastor agreed to accompany a musician to the police station where the latter was given a warning on noise nuisance and sent away.
According to a statement issued by the GPF, noise nuisance complaints started pouring in back on March 3, where a neighbour, Sheldon Baharally, wrote to the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) to complain about noise nuisance caused by loud music coming from the church. In response, on Wednesday, September 11, EPA officials met with the Regional Commander, Superintendent Krishna Ramana, at the Divisional Headquarters Office to discuss the complaint.
Then on September 19 and 20 of this year, Baharally filed two reports at the Mabaruma Police Station, stating that the church was playing loud and continuous music, causing annoyance and psychological effects to him and his family. In response to the report, the police visited the church and spoke with Rondel Morgow who was playing the loud music. He was accompanied by a man named Ramdeen, who claimed to be the pastor of the church. Morgow admitted to playing the music but stated that he was not aware of how loud it was.
The video seen by this newspaper shows a rank inside the church asking for someone to go down to the station. Then there was another individual asking the rank if they [members of church] have to stop their church service to go to the station. The same individual finally asked a sergeant if they would have to stop their church service because there is a report from Baharally saying that the church service is affecting him, to which the sergeant said yes.
The GPF in its statement sought to clarify that the rank did not seize any equipment or stop the church service. In addition, the pastor was not invited to the police station but chose to accompany Morgow, who was subsequently given a warning and sent away.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Regional Chairman of Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Barima-Waini Region One, said in a statement yesterday that the video circulating on Facebook, posted by Pastor Rocky Ramdeen has been noted. In this video, according to the RDC statement, Pastor Ramdeen alleges that the police disrupted a church service and arrested several members of the congregation, including musician, Brother Rondel, following a noise nuisance report made by Baharally.
The RDC took the opportunity to affirm that freedom of worship is a fundamental right guaranteed in Guyana. Since returning to office in 1992, the release explained, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government has restored and continues to safeguard democracy and the rights of all citizens, including the right to worship freely, adding, “We strongly condemn any disruption or detention of church members solely on allegations of noise nuisance.”
The statement noted, “Throughout Region 1, various denominations incorporate public address systems into their worship services, and these practices are generally respected. While it is important to recognize that every citizen is entitled to peace and tranquility, we also underscore the right to worship. Therefore, the RDC encourages coexistence and mutual respect among residents. “
The Regional Democratic Council is calling on the Regional Police Division to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the matter, ensuring that no actions are based solely on the complaint of one individual without considering all perspectives.
At the same time, however, the RDC urged churches to follow proper procedures when establishing places of worship. This includes consulting with relevant authorities, such as the Regional Democratic Council, Mayor & Town Council of Mabaruma, and engaging with the community to promote harmony and mutual understanding.
The Regional Chairman has spoken directly with Regional Commander Khrishna Ramana, and both parties have agreed to ensure the matter is addressed promptly, with fairness to all involved, the release said.
