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guyanatimesgy.com
saturday, march 14, 2015
Views Above the clouds Editor: Nigel Williams Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134 Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com
Editorial
Solving CrumEwing’s murder
T
he murder of former Guyana Defence Force officer Courtney Crum-Ewing on Tuesday has generated all of the different reactions one can possibly imagine in a tense political atmosphere. It has been stated in this column how principled a man Crum-Ewing appeared to have been and his focused approach to his activism in ensuring the preservation of peace and the rule of law. Those who seek to honour his death must therefore take this into consideration and not allow their base passions to get the better of them. The comments on social media and even in the letter columns of some of the local newspapers have been tinged with racist incitement and wild accusations, apportioning blame on persons. These are serious times and it is in times like these we need leaders who can use their influence to dispel rumours and quell the storm of racial strife. To fan the flames and incite others to violence can only result in the destruction of our society. However, amid the deep anguish at the lost of a “soldier”, all of us must again fix our minds to the prevailing gun violence that has gripped our country. Though there have been fewer incidences where high-powered weaponry has been used in the commission of crimes, Police statistics show that for almost one in every three robberies, firearm is the weapon of choice. At the end of October 2014, robbery under arms overall soared by eight per cent in comparison to the same period in 2013. The statistics also indicate an increase of 13 per cent in the number of armed robberies involving the use of firearms; and a one per cent decrease in armed robberies where instruments other than firearms were used by the perpetrators. For 2014 up to the reporting period, there were 674 reported robberies with the use of firearms while in 2013 there were 596 reported cases. Crum-Ewing’s murder is also an occasion to reflect on how cold and dangerous our society has become. For four men to pull up in a car and snuff out the life of a man tells of the low premium some place on human lives. President Donald Ramotar who is also Commanderin-Chief of the Armed Forces has already given clear and unambiguous orders to his charges: “Find the killers and if possible the intellectual authors”. His charge was made at one of the most important forums for the Police- their annual officers’ conference. Surely, his message must have resonated with all of the men and women who donned khaki at Eve Leary on Thursday the same way it captured thousands of citizens who watched the broadcast on state television and read the media reports. The Police must now redouble their efforts to find Ewing’s killers; they must prove to a wary public that they are capable of solving high-profile murders and for once justify the receipt of billions in aid from the Treasury. Also significant during Mr Ramotar’s address was his proposal for the Force to reopen the mountain of cold cases that Guyanese are eager to bring closure, to much like assassination of Dr Walter Rodney. This proposal is significant as Mr Crum-Ewing’ death if not properly investigated can end up like many others, including the assassination of Agriculture Minister Satyadeow Sawh and his family PNCR activist, Ronald Waddell and countless others. And also the lawmen must be allowed to carry out their functions without interference. Talks of corruption and a compromised Police Force would not help at this time if we are ever going to get to the truth of this heinous act. For all its limitations, if allowed to space and given the resources our lawmen can crack this case. Now with a properly functioning forensic laboratory – access to DNA technology in neighbouring countries and ballistic capabilities we should all anticipate some level of success in this investigation.
The Soyuz capsule with International Space Station (ISS) crew members, Barry Wilmore of the US, along with Alexander Samokutyaev and Elena Serova of Russia, descends before landing in Kazakhstan (Bill Ingalls/NASA/Reuters)
Opposition believes Public Service is birthright of one section of society Dear Editor, Unfortunately, this is the season where much racist drivel will be peddled to further the political aspirations of some. From time immemorial, the public service in our country was occupied by one section of the population; there was a political motive for this. Since 1992 the PPP/C Government has been trying all ends to ensure that the composition of the public service, the armed forces, etc, reflect the kaleidoscopic nature of our society. An ugly situation has arose where the recently appointed Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud is on the receiving end of an attack which can only be described as prejudiced in nature. Let us understand that Mr Persaud is a highly qualified consummate professional, perhaps more than some of his predecessors. His fault – he doesn’t belong to the group whose inherent birth right it is to occupy the office of the Commissioner of Police. The first line of attack from the Leader of the Opposition is that he wasn’t consulted on Mr Persaud’s appointment by the Police Service Commission. However, it is instructive to note that Commissioner
Persaud’s immediate predecessor was sworn-in in the absence of the Police Service Commission, yet the Leader of the Opposition gave no objection, although the Constitution states that such an appointment can only be done upon the recommendation from the chair of Police Service Commission. The Leader of the Opposition then took Commissioner Persaud to task over the promotion of Narine Lall and Mohanram Dolai, the two ranks fingered in 2009 for the torture of a teenager who was being questioned by the Police in a murder case. Again, it is instructive to note that the cases of the officers were dismissed and they were reinstated by Commissioner Persaud’s immediate predecessor who is of another ethnic group. Further, the promotion of Lall was conducted by the Police Service Commission, a body where Mr Granger has a representative. Hence, the question arises what was the Opposition representative doing? And more tellingly, why wasn’t an objection made during the process? For want of analytical exactitude, let us rewind a few years ago when the PNC’s
current shadow Minister of Home Affairs Winston Felix was the Commissioner of Police. During Mr Felix’s tenure, our country was brought to its knees as a result of politically authored criminal activity and a compromised Felix who refused to arrest the situation as was revealed in his conversation with Basil Williams. His service in the Police Force ended in ignominy when the FBI confirmed his voice on a tape recording as being an accessory to planting drugs on a citizen of this country. Here, a standing Commissioner of Police caught on tape demonstrating a proclivity for illegality and not a single word of condemnation from the Opposition. On the other hand, he was rewarded by being made their Shadow Minister of Home Affairs in Parliament. This is something we as a nation must ponder upon. Further Felix’s successor Henry Green had an allegation of rape hanging over his head while as Commissioner of Police. Again the Opposition was muted. From the preceding paragraphs, two things are apparent, as we approach elections. The Opposition will stop at nothing in their unleashing
of racist bilge in our country. This must be resisted by any means necessary. And prophetically, the relevance of the speech made by Dr Bharrat Jagdeo at the funeral service of the late Reepu Deman Persaud: “There seems to be in the mean politics of Guyana, a resurgence in a hidden way of feelings against Indo-Guyanese. “What is the message to people of East Indian origin? “If you’re PPP/C or PNC, if you are Christian, Hindu or Muslim, if you’re a sugar worker or a professional, once you’re of Indian origin, you should keep your children home, don’t send them to school. The same colonial message! Because, if heaven forbids, they become qualified and they get a job and the PPP is in office, then it has not to be because of our merit but rather our race.” In conclusion, I wish to proffer the following statement from Dr Jagan: “Racism is the greatest curse of our land … anyone who spreads racial propaganda must be severely dealt with. Such a person is an enemy to himself and his country.” The Opposition will do well to take note. Michael Tularam
Stop the speculation and let the Police do their job Dear Editor, I sympathise with the death of Courtney CrumEwing and especially the manner of his death. Condolences to his grieving relatives. I hope the perpetrators will be caught and brought to justice. However, letter writers and opposition supporters
are trying to link the PPP/C to this killing. This killing can be a drive by shooting by his enemies or business associates. So I am asking people to stop the speculation and let the Police do their job. The Opposition wants political mileage out of this killing and is protesting in front of the Attorney General’s
office as if the Attorney General has knowledge of this killing. They are putting the Attorney General’s life at risk for their own selfish benefits. Why didn’t the protestors picket the Police stations as they did in the past when there is a murder? Why select the AG’s office?
These protestors and the Opposition are not giving the Police a fair chance to solve this murder instead they made inaccurate pronouncements immediately after the murder. I hope the Police solve this crime. Balwant Persaud