Guyana Times -- Friday, September 11, 2020

WCB protests

ERC calls on Joint Services to P re-establish law and order

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Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4405

THE BEACON OF TRUTH FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

PRICE

WCB unrest

Security increased — roads cleared for vehicular traffic in Region 5 — 4 released on bail as probe into teen's murders intensifies

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Punter crushed to death by P11 falling rocks

Tuschen man wanted for La Jalousie robbery P12

Page 3

Berbice unrest

P14 Guyana records 3 more COVID-19 deaths

Granger “available all of a sudden”, but was absent during recount process – Shuman Page 11

Page 15

4 in custody for man killed by protesters P10

Indian High Commission donates medical supplies to the ECC&I to fight COVID-19 Page 9

Duo arraigned for murder of Fyrish construction worker

Mother of 1 stabbed to death by jilted lover over phone call Page 2

US citizen P10 beaten, robbed during WCB protest – says now stranded without money

2 NEWS

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Mother of 1 stabbed to death by jilted lover over phone call annoyed.

In anger, he snatched the woman by her hair, dragged her into the kitchen where he grabbed a knife and took her into the bathroom where he stabbed her several times about the body.

At the house of the aunt on Thursday, Meg Matthews confirmed that her niece and the suspect were together

he can’t get her, then no one can,” the aggrieved aunt stated.

Recalling the horror on Wednesday evening, she stated that they were at home when she heard a rapping on the door. Her niece, she added, got up and opened the door to check who it was.

“She let him in and they sat down and were talking

Dead: Lunisa Peters

A

24-year-old mother of one was on Wednesday evening stabbed to death by her jilted lover after she allegedly took a phone call from a male friend in his presence.

Dead is Lunisa Peters of Lot 97 Supenaam Public Road, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam).

Peters and the suspect had shared a common-law relationship, but she ended it owing to the constant abuse meted out to her. As such, she left his home and went back to her aunt’s house at Supenaam.

However, on the day in question about 23:30h, the suspect visited the now dead woman at her aunt’s house and he was invited in. While they were conversing, Peters’ phone rang and she answered it and upon hearing a male voice at the other end of the line, the suspect became

The house in which Peters was stabbed to death

for five years. The five years, she noted, were “hell” for her niece.

Matthews said that countless times, her niece would confide in her about the abusive relationship. After she could not take it any longer, she decided to end it.

“After the separation, he would call her on her phone and threatened to kill her… one day he came to the house and started to behave bad… the same time, he threw pepper sauce in her face and left… he used to tell she, if

normal and same time a friend of her call from the US and she took the call… he get vex and hold her on her hair, dragged her to the kitchen, collected the knife and took her in the bathroom and lock the door,” the aunt recounted.

Matthews stated that her niece was trying to fight him off, but owing to the stab wounds she could not.

“After he was done committing the act, he walked out of the bathroom and she followed with blood all over her skin and collapsed… he

then walk to the sink, wash out the blood from the knife and walk out… by the time I scream for help, she was already dead,” Matthews recalled.

The Police were summoned and upon arriving at the scene observed the motionless body of Peters lying on the floor. Detectives stated that there were several stab wounds to the victim’s head and body.

A knife and a rolling pin with blood stains were taken as evidence.

Peters’ body was taken to the Suddie Hospital Mortuary to await a post-mortem. The suspect was subsequently arrested and he is assisting with investigations.

The dead woman’s aunt, Meg Matthews

Meanwhile, Peters was originally from Kwebaba Village, Region One (BarimaWaini) and as such, her aunt is appealing for the public to assist them in having her

body returned to her home village. Anyone who wishes to assist the family can contact them on phone numbers 670-3002 or 668-7794.

Body of missing housewife found floating in creek

T

he body of a housewife was on Wednesday pulled from the Bun Sugar Creek, North West District (NWD) with suspected marks of violence about her body.

Dead is 29-year-old Melinda Henry of Bun Sugar Creek.

Based on information received, on Tuesday, the now dead woman and her reputed husband, a 59-year-old mechanic, were in their camp imbibing after which he went to speak with her father.

However, after speaking

with the man, he returned to the camp, but there was no sign of Henry and as such, he immediately informed her father. A search was launched, but they came up empty handed.

The search party abandoned the search about 23:30h on Tuesday. The next morning, the man went to the Baramita Police Station to make a report. On his way, however, he was contacted by his father and brother-inlaw who informed him that Henry had been found dead.

Nevertheless, he preced-

ed to the Police Station and made a report after which he was accompanied by a Police rank to the area.

On arrival, the distraught man saw his reputed wife’s body floating in the creek. It was eventually retrieved and examined by the medic and Police who observed bruises on the upper right thigh. The body was taken to the Port Kaituma Hospital Mortuary to await a post-mortem.

No arrests have been made as the Police continue their investigations.

NEWS

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, September 11 – 12:00h-14:00h.

No trucks will be able to transit between 11:30h and 14:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, September 11 – 11:15h-12:45h and Saturday, September 12 – 12:40h-14:10h .

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times - 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily

WEATHER TODAY Sunny conditions will prevail throughout the day followed by clear skies in the evening.

Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North North-Easterly to West NorthWesterly between 1.34 metres and 3.12 metres.

High Tide: 10:48h and 23:13h reaching maximum heights of 2.09 metres and 2.15 metres.

Low Tide: 16:40h reaching a minimum height of 1.17 metres.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2020

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COMMODITIES Indicators

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$221.90/ton

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Change

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WCB unrest

Security increased in Region 5

— Roads cleared for vehicular traffic — 4 released on bail as probe into teen's murders intensifies

F

our of the seven persons who were taken into custody in relation to the horrific murders of cousins Isaiah and Joel Henry have been released on bail as investigations continue.

Guyana Times understands that the 72-hour detention period had expired, and that investigators did not opt to seek extensions from the court to further detained the suspects.

However, these four persons are required to report to the Police today (Friday).

Three suspects from the initial seven who were arrested earlier in the week remain in custody, and are assisting with the probe. When contacted on Thursday, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum told Guyana Times that several other persons have been arrested over the past 24 hours and are being interrogated in connection with the teen’s

Prime Minister Mark Phillips, Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud met with relatives of Haresh Singh on Thursday

ees. Three more persons are also being sought by police.

The murders have sparked widespread protest

roads and burning debris while calling for justice.

The situation escalated from Monday to Wednesday,

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn and other Ministers met with relatives of Isaiah and Joel Henry on Wednesday

murders.

On Sunday, the mutilated bodies of the Henry cousins were found aback Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice (WCB). They had left their Number Three Village, WCB home last Friday to pick coconuts in the backdam, but did not return home. Their butchered bodies were found in clumps of bushes partially covered in mud after relatives went in search of them on Sunday.

Post mortem examinations conducted on Wednesday show that the teenagers died from haemorrhage and shock. In the case of 16-year-old Isaiah, he sustained a severed spine between the 2nd and 3rd vertebrae, and a number of chop wounds to his head.

The body of 19-yearold Joel had a total of 18 wounds. He, too, suffered a severed spine between the 1st and 2nd vertebrae. It is believed that after sustaining wounds to the head, he fell to the ground and then got the wound that severed his spine.

Following the gruesome discovery, the Police had arrested seven persons, including the owner of an estate upon which bloodstains were found, his son, two coconut vendors, and several employ-

action, particularly along the West Coast Berbice Corridor, with persons blocking the

and persons even threw missiles at Police as they attempted to clear the blocked

main roadway. The protest turned violent as protesters blocked traffic along the WCB roadway while robbing, beating and extorting from innocent commuters.

Millions of dollars were also lost as vehicles went up in flames.

Several other persons, whose relatives were robbed and beaten, took to social media and shared photos of the state of their loved ones with injuries. Additionally, persons reported that their clothes were ripped off as they passed the area.

However, after days of unrest and protesting, the West Coast Berbice Public Road has been cleared on Thursday, thus allowing for persons to safely traverse the area.

TURN TO PAGE 7

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guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Irresponsible words T

he decision by President Dr Irfaan Ali to seek assistance from the British Government and Regional Security System support of the Guyana Police Force’s investigative capacity is a welcome move.

What started out as a protest for justice for teen cousins: 16-year-old Isaiah Henry and 19-year-old Joel Henry, who were brutally murdered by barbaric criminals, quickly descended in a full-blown criminal enterprise. How does robbing, beating, extorting and destroying people’s property constitute, by any stretch of the imagination, justice for these boys?

It is no secret that the entire unfortunate episode along the West Coast of Berbice started after very irresponsible words were uttered by two Opposition politicians to residents of Number 3 Village following the boys’ deaths.

It is obvious that the cruel manner in which the boys were murdered would have sparked widespread public outrage, and both these politicians used that as an opportune moment to gain political mileage, causing Guyana to plunge into its worst racial unrest in years.

One is on record as saying, without evidence, “Too many Black youths are vanishing in the same way that cousins Isaiah and Joel Henry were killed and mutilated.”

The other irresponsibly told the grieving community, “If the Government cannot protect us, then we must protect ourselves.”

Since inciting the violence along the West Coast of Berbice, Guyanese have yet to hear one word of condemnation from these very two politicians. Their surrogates are using social media to spew the same sentiments that have caused the already enflamed situation to worsen.

It was United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres who, while speaking on the issue of discrimination and hate speech, said that social media and other forms of communication are being exploited as platforms for bigotry.

Public discourse is being weaponised for political gain with incendiary rhetoric that stigmatises and dehumanises.

Hate speech, Guterres said, is a menace to democratic values, social stability and peace. To quote the SG: “As a matter of principle, the United Nations must confront hate speech at every turn.”

It is therefore commendable that the President of Guyana has asked Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall to explore, within the United Nations’ system, all means available to hold to account all those who spread race hate and instigate racial strife.

Silence, like Guterres said, can signal indifference to bigotry and intolerance. Therefore, not getting to the bottom of what occurred along the WCB, and who instigated the violence to escalate, is setting a dangerous precedent.

As we have seen over the past week, such incitement led to hostility, violence, racial profiling and discrimination.

On December 11, 1968, Guyana singed on to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, and on February 15, 1977, it was ratified. Being a signatory to the resolution, we must stand and enforce the principles to which we agreed. Like many other countries, Guyana has adopted, and signed on to the UN commitment to adopt, a common understanding of the root causes and drivers of hate and inciting speech, in order to take relevant action.

Likewise, the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) should investigate inciteful statements made to WCB residents.

Certainly, those irresponsible politicians cannot be innocent parties to such hate statements that have led this country into unrest.

This publication supports President Ali’s decision to leave no stone unturned in this matter, and to use all available tools not only to solve the murders, but also to get a comprehensive and holistic picture of all the events surrounding what took place thereafter. It is Michelle Bachelet who told the United Nations Human Rights Council recently, “Like COVID-19, racism and xenophobia are contagious killers.”

A Martian city? The San Francisco Bay Bridge and city skyline are obscured in orange smoke and haze as seen from Treasure Island in San Francisco, California, September 9, 2020

Planting social discord Dear Editor, What I see on videos and read about as occurred in West Berbice brings back horrific memories of some politicians from yesteryear sowing social discord. They are concerned about their own political future, rather than the future of the nation. In political science, we call them political entrepreneurs, or mercenaries, or opportunists. They would sacrifice the lives of the innocents for their own political fortune.

It is pleasing that the father of one boy dissociates from the planned violence of political entrepreneurs.

I am a child of the 1960s of Port Mourant (PM), an Indian village, or sugar estate, for lack of a better term. I was too young to remember the racial riots of the early 1960s. I was told inter-relations were very tense.

I do recall matters pertaining to Independence, when we were given pencil or pen in school, and someone from the Royal Family of England visited around that time. And I do remember the 1968 election rigging. But there was no violence, Indians and Africans lived well, working with, and helping each other.

There would be sharp oral exchanges, especially on politics, but no physical violence.

On the whole, inter-race relations were relatively good on the Corentyne after Independence, except for rare, isolated incidents in a few villages occupied by one group or the other. There were no hostilities, from what I could remember.

For example, AfroGuyanese persons from Rose Hall used to come to visit, play cricket, attend weddings, stage masquerade dances during the end-

of-year activities in PM; work on sugar and rice, and engage in other activities.

Afro-Guyanese cricketers from Manchester, or Auchlyne, or Fyrish used to come to play in PM without having to worry about their safety; no one troubled them, and same vice versa!

The two groups shared space at the market and at entertainment centres or fast food outlets in neighbouring Rose Hall. Africans shopped at Indian groceries and cake shops. In school, children got along well. At English school, where I attended, African and Indian children got along well, playing games and competing for highest scores in exams and at Common Entrance (CE).

Africans went to Indianowned high schools: Comprehensive, Nath, Khesrilall, and Corentyne (Chandisingh) High, which I attended and which was the creme de la crème of Berbice. Fees and entrance standards were higher at CHS than at other schools.

Although I passed CE in 1972 to attend Berbice High, the school for the elite and a privilege to attend in New Amsterdam, my father insisted I attend Chandisingh, which had its own entrance exam and higher reputation. Khemraj Ramjattan was in the same class with me in 4A and 5 A. Two females and I were always in competition for top three places in end-of- term reports in forms 4 and 5.

There were several African students and African teachers at CHS and at other Indian-owned schools.

Students played and studied together, there was no discrimination; we did not know anything about racism until National Service was introduced, and later, when education was nation-

alised by the Burnham dictatorship, pitting Africans against Indians. Indians wanted nothing to do with the dreaded National Service and control of the educational curriculum, which was more propaganda than knowledge- based.

In schools, at snack bars nearby, and at the vendors in front of the schools, and on excursions (outings to other schools or industries), Indians and Africans socialised. Also, Indians shared meals with their friends.

There was mutual respect between the two communities, and they depended on each other for services.

I remember my father and others hiring African workers to mill rice, and even to cut cane. They treated their African workers well, even preparing lunch for them.

The Africans learnt Indian culture, and patronised Indian religious and cultural events and spiritual festivities (weddings, Jhandis, Koran Shariefs, Christian Home Service, etc.) and even mandirs. Some Indians patronised African churches.

Then the dreaded politicians, entrepreneurs, came to sow social discord among the people, placing a wedge where there was healing between the two groups, and making matters worse by election-rigging; banning of basic foods consumed by Indians; making National Service mandatory; introducing choke-and-rob and kick-down-the-door banditry; racism, and the like.

There was healing between 1992 and 2015. We seemed to have overcome some divisions in 2015 when Indians crossed over to vote for change. But regrettably, racism raised its ugly head again. And then race relations worsened with the attempt to rig the March 2020 elections.

The politically-directed violence of the last week is directly related to that electoral outcome, as some politicians were not fearful of stating as much, making reference to “political fraud and repression”. The international community disagrees with those remarks, rating the outcome free and fair and representative of the will of voters.

The murders of the two African youths had nothing to do with politics or repression of Africans. The murder of the Indian teenager had everything to do with politics; it was a response to the other murders, and it was encouraged. This would worsen race relations, courtesy of those politicians.

What one of the Henry boys’ father stated is correct about race relations. He said Indians and Africans got along well in the neighbouring Indian villages in West Berbice. Africans attended Indian community events. The men drank and socialised, playing cards and dominoes. And the outsiders came to sow discord.

Henry socialises with Indians, who call him “gheera head” because his hair looks like gheera, which is used to ‘chowkay’ dhal when it is finished cooking. Henry clearly regrets violence committed in the name of his son, and made it clear that politics had nothing to do with the murder of his son. Henry is applauded for his conciliatory and truthful words.

Volda Lawrence also took the high road in this violent encounter. She did not call for, or support, or encourage, violence in appealing to Africans to stop the attacks. She came across as a real leader and a healer.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

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You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

All lives matter, all deaths matter

Dear Editor, The gruesome killing of our two Guyanese youths, Isaiah Henry and his 19-year-old cousin Joel Henry, in West Berbice, has caused me to think that “All lives matter,” and “all deaths matter” too. Guyana is a sad place, a “shole” country, where people will brutally kill you for a cellphone or Gy$300 (US$1.50).

Are we, as a society, not ashamed of things like these? This is a reflection of our poverty, and is a good reason why we must vigorously support the Government as it seeks to gain more oil revenues for the country from renegotiation with Exxon, to improve our overall well-being, so we don’t kill for a cellphone.

The class act in this sad situation is the Christian response of the Henry family. The father of Isaiah (Gladson Henry) reportedly said: “This is not about race or religion or political things…I don’t want the people to say this is racial, it is not about race…I am a Christian, and I don’t want violence to happen in this community…”

Crime Chief Wendell

Blanhum said this is clearly not a political crime.

The most shameless act is PNC top leaders weaponising the pain and grief of these poor families to promote their “resistance” movement against a new, legally elected Government.

What they could not do at the ballot box they want to do through violent street action. Gleeful at the protests and the pressure it puts on the Police/military resources, the PNC leadership has been silent, and has not called on its supporters to stop the terrorism against innocent people.

One blog on Facebook

by Patrick Findlay said, “You cannot demand justice for an atrocity whilst at the same time perpetuating an atrocity on others.” The wily dictator Burnham used to say, “He who owns the dogs can call off the dogs.”

The other shameful thing in the current racial attacks of stopping, beating, burning, robbing, and stripping of Indians trying to pass the blockages on the roads is the continued silence of the churches. There is breaking news of 17-yearold Haresh Singh killed to-

day as protests escalate.

We have not heard from the Guyana Evangelical Fellowship, the Georgetown Ministers Fellowship, the Zadok Ministries, East Berbice Corentyne Ministers, the Guyana Council of Churches, Assembly of God, Full Gospel Fellowship, or Lifespring Ministries, etc.

Why is the Church silent at such a time as this, when one party is using two families’ tragedies to stoke racial strife? Loyalty to a party should not cause us to lose our conscience.

This gruesome killing of the Henrys and the call for swift justice also bring to the fore other similar murders in Guyana. Many were murdered, and they were instantly forgotten by the public. There were no protests, nobody tried to burn and block traffic, and no politicians came, probably because there was no political mileage to gain.

People simply buried their dead, suffered in silence, and hoped the Police find the killers. Many cases went unsolved, and there was no justice.

I say: the same way “All

lives matter”, “All deaths matter” too. We know all cases would not be solved, but victims like to know that the Police did their best.

I remember the May 2001 case of a father, Bemchand Barran, and his 10-yr-old son, Mervyn Barran from Enterprise, who were executed in the backdam where they went to catch shrimp. This case was never solved. Similarly, September 11 would be the 10th anniversary of 21-yearold Sheema Mangar’s murder. Like many others, that have ended up in the cold case cabinet.

Sheema, from Mon Repos, a Bank employee whose dream was to become a certified accountant, was killed for her cellphone in broad daylight at a city car park area in the presence of many at rush hour. Sheema Mangar’s family has refused to give up their quest for justice.

Then there is the recent case, in July 2020, of 21-year-old Navindra Samaroo, a Marketing Agent who was killed by motor bike bandits as his car slowed down at a pot-

hole at Middle Road, La Penitence. They shot him and grabbed his bag. All they got was his lunch in the bag. Samaroo’s wife was pregnant, and he did not live to see the birth of his first child. To his mother, Valini Shivcharran, he was a “precious jewel”; to his boss Etwaroo, he was a “willing and hard-working” employee. Dwayne Castello, known as ‘Top Cat,’ was charged for his murder.

Other youngsters have lost their lives with no justice in sight: Alicea Foster; Trevor Rose; Ricky Jainarine, who was just 10 years old. The body of Monica Reece was dumped from a pickup back in April 1993.

Then there were the September 2012 Anna Catherina home invasion murders, in which Abishai Caesar allegedly slit the throats of 41-year-old liquor store owner Jennifer Persaud and her two children: 6-year-old Afridi Bacchus, and 18-month-old Jadon Ernest. Caesar reportedly said Persaud’s elder son woke up during the robbery and saw his face, and he decided to slit

his throat. The 6-year-old screamed when his throat was slit and the baby woke up. When the alleged killer noticed that the baby was awake, he killed the 18-month-old. Caesar had initially evaded justice until April 2016, when investigators were able to arrest him after his reputed wife went and told them that he murdered Persaud and her sons during the home invasion.

The box stolen contained only $3,000 (US$15).

In August 2020, Ryan Mohamed, 27, a taxi driver of Wash Clothes, Mahaicony, was attacked and stabbed in the neck while standing at a milkshake stand. There was a dispute over a $300 overcharge fare. Marlon Estriado is wanted in connection with that murder.

The brutal deaths of loved ones diminish us all, and broken hearts are left behind to suffer in silence.

We must care equally about all those innocent victims, and support all victims’ families. “All lives matter,” and “All deaths matter” too.

Sincerely, Dr Jerry Jailall

President urged to hold political criminals accountable Dear Editor, President Irfaan Ali may wish to learn from the mistakes of previous administrations of the People’s Progressive Party, and hold accountable persons who have recently engaged in political crimes and previously advocated violence as an instrument of politics in Guyana.

Our history has been tarnished by these perpetrators, who have thus far been allowed to run free and hold Guyana to ransom.

Ethnic discrimination in our politics goes back to the fifties and sixties, when the colonial administration of the time sought to divide the national political force that the People’s Progressive Party had become. During that era, Forbes Burnham and Dr. Jagan acted in concert under the People’s Progressive Party, with Dr. Jagan as the party leader and Burnham as the party chairman.

The split was engineered in part because of what the British considered to be Dr. Jagan’s ultra-left socialist ideas, which forced the plantocracy to improve the conditions of sugar workers, which was not in keeping with the direction of the global politics of the day.

It should be observed that the sugar industry was premised on the idea of slavery/depressed wages, mean-

ing that efforts to pay workers their fair wages was then, and will now, likely jeopardise the viability of sugar as a major crop.

Financial payoff of sugar workers, allotment of 5-10 acres of land, along with Government support to develop and maintain these lands for agricultural purposes in the near-to-medium term, could be an alternative consideration.

Other considerations include alternatives to the loss of sugar as a major foreign currency earner.

Unfortunately, Burnham took the bait, and began a programme of ridicule and ethnic character defamation of Dr Jagan and Indians on no basis other than that they had “straight hair”.

One of the major initial incidents of political violence was the recurring threats and ultimate bombing of the Son Chapman ferry, which served as a major transport facility to Linden. This triggered one of the first major spates of violence against Indians, as many at the time bought into the idea that the PPP was behind this attack.

Looking back at this incident, it doesn’t require much consideration to realise that there was no one within the PPP leadership at the time - certainly not Dr. Jagan himself, Ashton Chase, or Sydney King - who would have contemplated such an

act, much less carried it out.

Dr Jagan himself worked tirelessly to unite Guyana at the time, including placing Burnham as the PPP party chairman, and all the rest of the PPP executive at the time were all concerned with securing better welfare and working conditions for Guyanese through the legislature.

Closer inspection of the demise of the ferry would realise that the principal beneficiaries of this heinous act were none other than Burnham and the People’s National Congress, this being to strengthen his political base and provide a platform for victimisation of Indian- Guyanese, which has lasted to this day. It is also without any doubt that they might have received some help.

Fast-forward to 1992, when the PNC dictatorship finally came to an internationally supervised end, President Cheddi Jagan and the PPP at the time never sought to hold accountable those responsible for previous fraudulent elections and political violence. Those individuals were left to operate freely, continuing their failed ideas of perpetuating ethnic insecurity and divisiveness.

The PPP’s reign from 1992 to 2015 was littered with charges of rigged elections. But contextually and

culturally, even if elections had indeed been rigged, the PNC from 1968 to 1992 set the stage for rigged elections and rigging elections to become part of our culture and a matter of standard national practice.

This is not to say Guyanese have any more tolerance for rigged elections going forward; because, after more than 50 years, it is my opinion that we think rigged elections are criminal, a crime against the state, and not to be tolerated.

Finally feeling the heat of their previous folly, after they lost the elections in 2001, notable leaders within the PNC at the time: Raphael Trotman, Vincent Alexander, and none other than Desmond Hoyte himself, embarked on a criminal campaign of inciting violence as a means of ‘deposing’ the Government of the day, and to strengthen their negotiating position for ‘shared governance’.

Being approximately twenty-one years of age at that time, President Ali might find some of these memories close to heart. The Government of the day did not address the criminal actions of these PNC leaders directly, which they should have, but instead sought to address the result, this being combating the violence spawned by Alexander and company. This led to scores

SEE ADDITIONAL LETTERS ON PAGE 17

of deaths, hundreds of young Guyanese who became inspired by these PNC leaders.

Vincent Alexander had, at the time, observed that their deaths, the violence, was for ‘the greater good’.

(See Stabroek News, August 14, 2002.) The undeniable fact (of which there is copious public documentation) is that the PNC leadership at the time was accountable for much, if not all, of the violence and consequent deaths of the hundreds of Guyanese youths, the perpetrators of which they promised to bring to justice during their recent failed Government, but never did, and never will.

Not directly addressing the source of criminality and violence in 2020, and previously also, will again leave these individuals free to continue dispensing their trade as none other than the criminals they are.

The President is encouraged to carefully consider his options, because Guyana has been systematically held to ransom by the PNC leadership, with our culture, our welfare, our livelihood, our economy bearing the brunt of their failed ideas on politics and Government.

What remains of APNU (at least two parties have disassociated themselves since the March 2020 elections) indicated that they

will boycott the 2020 Budget presentation.

Perusing the contents of the 2020 Budget, it is obvious they wanted to spare themselves the political embarrassment of the utter folly of their five years of Government; as much, if not all, of their policy implementations on VAT and taxation, if not outright harassment of some sections of the productive sector, have been reversed.

Guyanese have to level with themselves that the performance of the PNC since March 02, 2020 has stripped itself of all claims of credibility as a political party fit to be entrusted with the governance of our nation. They are unlikely to win another election in our generation, if they last that long.

Guyanese in general are also encouraged to resist being drawn into well-coordinated ethnic violence, since they ultimately become fugitives from the law.

The President is once again encouraged to seriously consider the consequences of not addressing the source of political crimes: which have so bewildered us as a nation, and which will exact tremendous social and economic costs should they remain unaddressed.

Yours faithfully, Craig Sylvester

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

Page

Foundation

SUMMER OF LEARNING

◄

Æsop’s Fables

MULTIPLY MIXED NUMBERS: You can probably figure out the easiest way to multiply mixed numbers. Change them to improper fractions. Then multiply the fractions just as you normally would.

Example: Multiply: 2 1/3 x 2 2/8

1 Change er fraction: 7/3

FOR CHILDREN Example: 10/3 x 12/8 The numerator 10 and the denominator 8 can both be divided by 2.

So 10/3 x 12/8 = 5/3 x 12/4 Now, look again. The numerator 12 and the denominator 3 can both be divided by 3.

So 5/3 x 12/4 = 5/1 x 4/4 . Since 5/1 = 5 and 4/4 = 1 , now you have a much simpler exercise to solve: 5x1 = 5

the first mixed number into an improp-

2

Exercises: Multiply 1) 2 3/3 x 3 1/3

5) 3 4/16 x 45/9

Change the second mixed number into an improper fraction: 10/8

3 Restate the problem: 7/3 x 10/8

4

2) 7 10/4 x 10 4/10 6) 5 1/6 x 2 6/1

Multiply the numerators: 7 x 10 = 70

5 Multiply the denominators: 3 x 8 = 24

3) 12 1/3 x 13 7/12

6 Write the product: 70/24. Reduce the fraction, if you can.

In this example, both 70 and 24 can be divided by 2: 35/12 MORE ABOUT REDUCING: Here is a good trick for reducing when you multiply two fractions. Look at both numerators and then at both denominators. If you can divide either of those numerators by the same number as either of the denominators, you can reduce.

4) 1 6/8 x 8 1/2

A

boy was given permission to put his hand into a pitcher to get some filberts. But he took such a great fistful that he could not draw his hand out again. There he stood, unwilling to give up a single filbert and yet unable to get them all out at once. Vexed and disappointed he began to cry.

“My boy,” said his mother, “be satisfied with half the nuts you have taken and you will easily get your hand out. Then perhaps you may have some more filberts some other time.”

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

7

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

AG reaffirms President’s authority to appoint Senior Counsels

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Attorney General Anil Nandlall

ttorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, has defended the appointments of four Senior Counsels made in 2019 by former President David Granger.

The appointments of these four Senior Counsels are being challenged by Attorneyat-Law Timothy Jonas in the High Court, who wants the appointments to be declared null and void.

Among other things, Jonas is seeking an Order of Certiorari to be directed to the Attorney General to quash the decision by the former President to appoint Attorneys-at-Law Roysdale Forde, Mursalene Bacchus, Jameli Ali and Stanley Moore to the dignity of Senior Counsel.

Jonas argues that the then President acted outside his authority, and as such, the conferral was illegal and void. He further argues that there is no statutory or other power conferred on the President to make any decision to appoint the attorneys-at-law to the dignity of Senior Counsel.

Jonas submits that the appointment of Senior Counsel lies within the inherent discretion of the High Court of the Supreme Court of Judicature.

The lawyer explained that the power and discretion to admit persons to practise at the Bar; to preside over such persons; to discipline, sus-

Former Granger

President

David

pend and disbar such persons is conferred by the provisions of the Legal Practitioners Act and Common Law on the Supreme Court of Judicature.

He further explained that

Attorney-at-Law Timothy Jonas

from time to time, the Full Bench of the Supreme Court of Judicature, in the exercise of an inherent jurisdiction, exercise a discretion to confer on attorneys-at-law who have practised with distinction before the Court the dignity of Senior Counsel.

In an Affidavit in Defence, Nandlall said he denies each allegation made by Jonas. The Attorney General noted that while some of Jonas’s contentions bear some veracity, he does not believe that they embrace compendiously and comprehensively all the virtues, qualifications, advantages, privileges and status which the conferral of the dignity of

Senior Forde

Counsel

silk accords.

According to Nandlall, he does not admit Jonas’s contention that the dignity of Senior Counsel or its equivalent counterpart (Queen's Counsel) is one which is recognized throughout the Commonwealth as being conferred on practising attorneys-at-law who have sufficiently earned the respect of the Court by dint of the quality of their practice and personal integrity to warrant the honour, and the conferral of the status of Senior Counsel embraces compendiously and comprehensively all the virtues, qualifications, advantages, privileges and status which the conferral of the dignity of silk accords.

Further, the Attorney General does not admit Jonas’s argument that the dignity of Senior Counsel is, by virtue of its widespread recognition, fundamentally important to the legal practitioner, and that within the legal fraternity, courtesies are extended to Senior Counsel by the judiciary in Court, including during court proceedings, and by the Bar at large, because neither of them embrace compendiously and comprehensively all the virtues, qualifications, advantages, privileges and status which the conferral of the dignity of silk accords.

Jonas argues, too, that beyond the legal fraternity, in

Security increased in...

In a statement issued jointly by the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force, it was noted that “…despite attacks by protestors on members of the Joint Services, the ranks have been able to clear the stretches of roads that were blocked along West Coast Berbice and East Coast Demerara, which facilitated the free flow of traffic as of today, 10th September, 2020.”

Moreover, the joint missive further detailed that based on the assessment of the operations, additional resources were deployed to the West Berbice area in furtherance of the maintenance of law and order and facilitation of unhindered flow of traffic in the area.

This was following a visit to the Region by GDF Chief of Staff (ag) Brigadier Godfrey Bess and Police Commissioner (ag) Nigel Hoppie, to have a firsthand appreciation of activities on the ground, as well as to assess the issue of welfare of the ranks.

They also met with the bereaved relatives of the Henry cousins as well as the family of 17-year-old Haresh

Roysdale

FROM PAGE 3

The situation has deescalated and persons can traverse the roads

Singh, who was murdered on Wednesday at the Number Three Village Backdam. It is suspected that his death was in retaliation to the murders of Isaiah and Joel, since he is related to one of the persons initially held by the Police.

Meanwhile, the Heads of the Joint Services also indicated that the Police are in receipt of reports and evidence of assault on members of the public, and have since arrested three persons, and will continue in their efforts to arrest and prosecute others who were identified breaking the law. Of those three persons arrested, two are for robbery and the other for malicious

damage to property.

“The Joint Services would like to reassure the citizenry that it will continue to maintain law and order and ensure the unimpeded flow of traffic along the West Berbice corridor,” the joint missive stated.

On Wednesday, father of Isaiah, Gladstone Henry, told reporters that he was in no way supportive of the violent protest actions across the country. Isaiah’s father called on the protesters to desist from attacking persons and damaging property. He noted that the protests, calling for justice for his son and nephew, should do so in an orderly manner.

Senior Counsel Stanley Moore

Senior Counsel Jamela Ali

the public domain, the dignity implies to the public the certification by the judiciary of the professional acumen and personal integrity of the practitioner, so that a significant market advantage is enjoyed

by Senior Counsel in the conduct of his/her practice by the public perception of the judicially-acknowledged professional standard of his/her legal service.

Nandlall does not admit that this embraces compendiously and comprehensively all the virtues, qualifications, advantages, privileges and status which the conferral of the dignity of silk accords.

Further, Jonas submits that there is no statutory or other power conferred on the President of Guyana, whether as President or otherwise, to make such a decision or to appoint attorneys-at-law to the dignity of Senior Counsel; and, as such, the decision by the former President is entirely void and of no effect.

Jonas argues that “insofar as the President, a member of the Executive, purports to make a decision within the province of the inherent discretion of the High Court, “his [Granger’s] trespass into the realm of the Judiciary violates Article 122 of the Constitution

Senior Counsel Bacchus

Mursalene

of Guyana, and is illegal and void.” But Nandlall argues that these are all opinions of law held by Jonas, with which he is not in agreement.

These proceedings come more than a year after Jonas had his Senior Counsel appointment rescinded after he announced his affiliation with A New and United Guyana (ANUG) – a new political party formed to contest the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.

Jonas’s application comes up for oral arguments on October 28, 2020 before High Court Justice Nareshwar Harnanan.

8

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

What’s ahead for Guyana…

N …with its cleavages? o… your Eyewitness doesn’t have a crystal ball, but what he does have is a good understanding of the people he’s lived among all his “born life”. He’s a good listener, and loves to “gyaaf” with friends from every race and ethnic group in his dear land of Guyana. As such, he’s been able to appreciate that while most folks like to talk about “all a-we a waan”, they really see the world in ways that are remarkably correlated with their ethnic background. Meaning that “all a-we” aren’t really “one” in Guyana.

By disentangling these different narratives, your Eyewitness has been able, at every turn, to predict what’s going to happen in our tortured politics, hasn’t he?? And that, dear friends, brings us to the crux of the matter: it’s all about politics, which is all about power, and determines who gets what, when and how. So, forget all the fancy talk…let’s discuss what the narratives say, and we’ll get an idea of what the ethnic groups specifically want and how far they’re willing to go to get “it” - during this crisis and whenever.

One set of Guyanese point out they were here first, yet remain the perennial poorest of all by every measure - especially economically. Their culture is derided as “backward”, and no one gives a hoot about their ideas on how the nation ought to conduct its affairs. Their numbers have finally given them the potential to be a swing vote between the two major groups - improve their lot. But they haven’t been able to sustain a political vehicle to really get that leverage. In the meantime, they split their support between the aforementioned behemoths, and depend on their shssbsbenevolence.

Another set of Guyanese form one of the “behemoths,” and define themself in all respects by comparing themselves to the “other”. They insist they came before, built this country on their slave labour, were educated and “civilised” first, and it’s not fair that they’re now economically worse off than their bete noir. This is their major gripe, and they feel that if the latter were to have political power along with their economic clout, then they (the former) will always be behind.

The other behemoth relate how they came and “saved” the country back in the day, and they shouldn’t be told that they aren’t “real” Guyanese because they’ve maintained some of their ancestral culture. Part of the reason for their economic success, after all, is because of those cultural practices, which pushed them to “work hard”. They feel bullied by the other behemoth, since they’ve been excluded from the governmental institutions like the Police, army and Public Service that exercise state power.

Can they ever agree on anything for Guyana?? …in West Berbice?

So, with the above as background, we can now turn our gaze to the unrest that spread from WC Berbice to the Corentyne in the wake of the gruesome murder of those two unfortunate Henry cousins.

Right off the bat, we have to condemn, once again, Granger and Harmon for their politicisation of the murders.

The father of Isaiah - supposedly an uneducated villager put them to shame with his forthright condemnation of the politicisation and his call for unity between Indian and African Guyanese.

Now, of course, there’s anger at the murder of Joel and Isaiah amongst…there has to be; these were sons of the village. But anger against all Indian Guyanese?? No question, Harmon and Granger stirred up that anger…but there had to be some anger already there in their hearts to stir!! And this is where the narrative of the AfricanGuyanese, of which these villagers are members, comes in: there is a resentment of the Indian- Guyanese economic success; hence the beatings and robberies. …in this crisis?

The point your Eyewitness is making, dear readers, is that the West Berbice unrest is a symptom of deep underlying fears and uncertainty in our two major ethnic groups.

We can’t plaster it over.

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

NEWS

9

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Duo arraigned for Cop who spent 18 years as Corporal promoted after Ombudsman’s intervention murder of Fyrish construction worker A Police Corporal who spent 18 years in that post was promoted to Sergeant after filing a complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman. This is according to the latest report (2017-2018) tabled in Parliament by Ombudsman, Retired Judge Winston Patterson.

While the report did not mention the name of the Police rank or where he is stationed, it said that he complained of being stagnated at the rank of Corporal notwithstanding the fact that he has been performing duties of the Senior Officer-In-Charge of Police Stations at outposts.

The report said that the rank disclosed that he wrote and was successful at the inspectorate examination since 1997, and as far as he was aware, there was no disciplinary action taken against him.

Ombudsman Patterson revealed that the Police rank expressed that he believed he was being overlooked

Sampson Gagaprasad and Kris Nandalall at the Whim Magistrate’s Court on Thursday

T

wenty-five-year-old Sampson Gagaprasad and 27-year-old Kris Nandalall, both of Chesney Village, Corentyne Berbice were on Thursday arraigned for the murder of Orlando Jonas.

The men were not required to plead to the indictable charge when it was read to them by Magistrate Renita Singh during their virtual appearance at the Whim Magistrate’s Court.

They were represented by Attorneys-at-Law Sanjeev Datadin and Motie Singh. The two men told the court that they were beaten by the Police and forced to sign a document.

It was reported that Jonas and 18-year-old Mahendra Ramnarine were heading home and in the vicinity of a popular shop at Number One Village when they were confronted and attacked by two men who attempted to relieve them of their personal items.

Jonas was stabbed to death while Ramnarine was

slashed to his face.

Following the incident, which occurred on Saturday last, the two “suspects” turned up at the Albion Police Station claiming that they were attacked and robbed. They were arrested.

But one of the suspects who confessed to the crime claimed that he acted in self-defence.

Attorney-atLaw Singh told Guyana Times that in law they were both presumed innocent until found guilty.

He noted that the entire incident was captured on video that showed what transpired on that fateful day.

The incident had sparked protest action by villagers calling for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.

Meanwhile, both Gagaprasad and Nandalall were remanded to prison.

They were scheduled to return to court on September 29, 2020. The matter was transferred to the Albion Magistrate’s Court.

Ombudsman, Retired Judge Winston Patterson

for promotion because of his religion, and as such, requested the intervention of the Office of the Ombudsman.

As a result, Ombudsman Patterson stated that he wrote the Commissioner of Police and attached a copy of the Police rank’s complaint for his attention and necessary action.

One month after, the Ombudsman received an acknowledgement of his letter to the Top Cop. The Police rank was promoted to Sergeant three months after.

For years, Police ranks in junior positions have complained of unfairly being bypassed for promotions.

In fact, many ranks have expressed their frustrations at the process.

It is the Commissioner of Police who confirms promotions up to the rank of Sergeant while the Police Service Commission (PSC), after the review of a list of names provided, promotes persons up to the rank of Assistant Commissioner.

10 NEWS

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

4 in custody for man US citizen beaten, robbed during WCB protest killed by protesters – says now stranded without money

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our persons were arrested and are being questioned in connection with the beating to death of 34-year-old Prettipaul Hargobin at Bath Settlement Public Road on Wednesday.

This was confirmed on Thursday by Crime Chief, Wendell Blanhum who also stated the firearm that was taken away from the victim was retrieved and is in police possession as investigations continue.

Hargobin called “Roy” of Block B1 Waterloo, Bath Settlement succumbed at about 15:45h on the said day.

According to police reports, the victim was in his motor vehicle on the Public Road at Bath Settlement, when it was observed that he exited the vehicle with a shotgun and discharged one round into the air before discharging three rounds towards a crowd of protestors, who were about 60 meters away.

As a result of his actions, Hargobin was attacked and beaten by the crowd, whom the police said are also residents from Bath Settlement.

Dead: Prettipaul Hargobin

Having observed the commotion, Police ranks who are some distance away rushed to the scene, where the discovered Hargobin lying on ground with several injuries about his body.

Hargobin’s sister, Ronita has stated that they were first attacked by the protestor before her brother went out alone and was killed.

She recalled that she was on the Public Road with some friends when her brother came out with his vehicle and was looking for someone on a blue motorcycle. The woman said her

brother was upset and crying, but would not tell her what had happened to him.

Ronita said she accompanied her brother in search of the person but they ended up meeting persons protesting on the road.

As a result, the distraught sister said that Hargobin was left behind and she was taken home by a friend. On her way, she saw her brother’s vehicle heading back towards the direction of the protestors.

“I heard gunshots and then I saw a whole lot of people flock around him. I don’t know what they did to him but I was told he was chopped. I saw them hitting the vehicle and damage it – they torched it and I couldn’t do anything. I asked them to hit my brother but it was in vain; nothing there help we…” the woman related.

According to Ronita, she rushed home to get her a car to take her brother to the hospital but by the time she returned to the scene, the police had already taken him to seek medical attention. Hargobin died before reaching the Fort Wellington Hospital.

A

family of three was on Tuesday evening attacked, beaten, terrorised and robbed while their car was almost set on fire during a protest at Hopetown over the brutal murder of 16-year-old Isaiah Henry and 19-yearold Joel Henry, whose mutilated bodies were found at Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice (WCB).

The protests started at Number Five Village, WCB, from where the teens hail, and quickly spread to other villages.

However, one of the victims, who is a US citizen, claims that she and her family were relieved of $300,000, a cellphone and other items after the car in which they were travelling came under attack along the West Coast of Berbice.

As a result, commuters were forced to use a “backstreet” in the community to get through the village.

The US citizen told Guyana Times that as they were diverted to the back street by Police, they came face to face with a mob of protesters who were stopping and checking the vehi-

cles as they passed.

“There were at least four or five vehicles in front of us and there were local people on bicycles. One man specifically was circling all the cars, and when we got to this very narrow piece on the road, the guys on the bicycle came and started going in to each car to see who was inside of the car… when they noticed that we were all Indians, they let all the other cars pass and we were stopped and started getting attacked,” she explained.

The woman said they were dragged out of the car and beaten. All of their items, including their US documents, were taken away. Out of fear, she and her family began to beg for their lives.

After begging and pleading for some time, they were allowed to go.

However, they were led right back into another group of men on a truck that was branded with the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) logo. They also started demanding that they hand over their belongings.

“They wanted to rob us

more and we told them that guys from the back street already took whatever we had. We were pleading with them because we needed our stuff to go back to the US,” the woman said.

She was eventually able to recover her documents, but not her money or other items. She told this publication that she had only come to Guyana last week to conduct some business and have to return soon so that she can resume work.

The woman and her two relatives explained that after telling the men they had nothing, they were escorted out of the area by Guyana Defence Force (GDF) ranks and they were able to reach Georgetown by midnight on Tuesday.

They said during those hours, they were left hungry since they had no money to buy anything to eat. The family is now left stranded in Georgetown with no money to return home.

Since the escalation of the protests in West Coast Berbice, several persons were beaten and robbed, and vehicles set on fire.

NEWS

11

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Berbice unrest

Granger “available all of a sudden”, but was absent during recount process – Shuman

Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Lenox Shuman

D

eputy House Speaker and Member of Parliament Lenox Shuman on Thursday asserted that there are political forces who are desperately trying to capitalise on the recent brutal murders of the two Berbice teens, and this, he said, could result in se-

vere damage to the nation.

In a video posted on his social media page, Shuman specifically called out Leader of the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC), David Granger, for his role in seeking to politicise the tragedy.

He recalled that Granger was unavailable during the entire National Recount process to meet with supporters, members of the media, and many other stakeholders, yet found the time “all of a sudden” to be so intimately involved in the current crisis.

“He is (now) showing himself out in public while he was afraid of COVID-19 during the recount process.

All of a sudden it becomes a non-issue for him,” the Deputy Speaker expressed.

Shuman, who is also the Leader of the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), referred to the absence of the APNU/ AFC Parliamentarians during Tuesday’s sitting

of the National Assembly, which saw the presentation of Budget 2020.

He noted that he was the only Opposition Member of Parliament in the Chambers for the sitting, and he said that the APNU/AFC Parliamentarians, by not being there, are not serving the interest of citizens.

“What I saw was them in Berbice, pretty much going through a campaign-style engagement, whether they are egging people on to protest or whatever it was they were doing, they were definitely not acting responsibly towards you, the tax payers,” Shuman contended.

On Monday, Granger and Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon visited the families of the two teenagers who were killed. However, during their visit, they used the opportunity to cast blame on the PPP/C Government for the tragedy, and have since been involved in pushing a narrative that the incident was politically motivated.

Punter crushed to death by falling rocks

A

punter was on Wednesday crushed to death by falling rocks while working in a mining pit at Whitewater Mountain, Konawaruk Backdam, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

The dead man has been identified as 59-year-old Donston John, also called “Rambo” of St Francis Mission, Mahaicony River, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice).

Based on information received, on the day in question, the now dead man and

a 63-year-old pork-knocker of Kamarang, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) were working as punters with a three-inch pump and their detectors at Whitewater Backdam.

They were joined by two other punters – a 52-yearold of Samatta Point, Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD) and a 49-year-old man of Wakapao, Pomeroon, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam).

As the men were working

at the edge of a hill, several big rocks reportedly fell on the victim while the others managed to run to safety.

Moments after, the men returned to the scene and after several hours of digging out the debris, the lifeless body of John was retrieved.

The Police were summoned to the scene and the body was taken to Mahdia Regional Hospital Mortuary to await a post-mortem. The Police are continuing their investigations.

They also referred to the PPP as a fraudulent Government, and called for residents to reject them if they ventured into their communities to offer support.

However, various commentators have since expressed the view that this was a move by the Coalition Leaders to sidetrack the nation from the investigations currently ongoing into attempts by certain persons to alter the results of the March 2 General and Regional Elections.

Shuman called on all citizens to conduct themselves in a lawful manner, and continue to live in peace and harmony with their neighbours and friends.

He urged citizens not to allow themselves to be enraged by any politician, neighbour, or any other person.

The badly-mutilated bodies of 16-year-old Isaiah Henry and 19-year-old Joel Henry of West Coast Berbice (WCB) were discovered almost one day after they had gone missing. The boys had reportedly left last Friday to pick coconuts in the backdam.

After hours of searching, the badly-chopped bod-

Former President David Granger and Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon

ies were discovered among the bushes and were partially covered in mud. The murders have sparked outrage in the communities along the West Berbice corridor, resulting in violent protests.

Two persons have since been killed in retaliation by the protestors.

Additionally, some passersby have been robbed and beaten, and buildings and vehicles have been set on fire. Several roads have also been blocked over the past

three days, preventing commuters from getting to their destinations freely.

Several stakeholders have since appealed to the residents to express their emotions in a manner that is lawful and respectful, and allow the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to carry out its duties uninterrupted.

The Joint Services have been deployed to the affected communities, and there has been a return to some level of normalcy.

12 NEWS Ramsaroop calls on ERC to investigate Harmon’s contentious statements during Berbice visit FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Businessman and politician Peter Ramsaroop

B

usinessman and politician Peter Ramsaroop has called on the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) to investigate the controversial comments made by Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon during a recent visit to West Coast Berbice (WCB).

On Monday, Harmon and APNU/AFC Leader David Granger visited the families of Isaiah and Joel Henry, the two teenagers who were brutally murdered over the past weekend. However, during their visit, they used the opportunity to score political points by casting blame on the PPP/C Government for the tragedy, and pushing a narrative that it was politi-

cally motivated.

They also referred to the PPP as a fraudulent Government, and called for residents to reject Government officials if they ventured into their communities to offer support.

Ramsaroop, however, lambasted Harmon for politicising the tragedy. He said Harmon) is using the incident to sidetrack the nation from the investigations currently ongoing into attempts to alter the results of the March 2 General and Regional Elections.

“So Mr Harmon is trying to campaign against the PPP. He is using terminology that the ERC must investigate, and those are racial, inciting comments he is making; and I hope it is dealt with very aggressively by the ERC,” he said.

“Coming up with statements about fraudulent elections, he is again in some dream world…Mr Harmon is trying to distract the nation from the Mingos of the world and the Lowenfields of the world,” Ramsaroop said during an interview on Globespan on Wednesday evening.

“More organisations need to come out and let him know that this is not about election, this is not about the PPP; this is about our people, our country, and we got to move forward and stop

politicising the situation,” Ramsaroop added.

Ramsaroop, who is also a member of the PPP/C, asserted that the focus by all stakeholders now should be on bringing the perpetrators of the killings to justice.

“I challenge the ERC to investigate him and to make sure that he understands that our nation is on a brink in terms of what has happened,” Ramsaroop expressed.

He said Harmon should realise that the elections are over, and a legitimate Government headed by Dr Irfaan Ali is in place.

The ERC is a constitutional body established under the Herdmanston Accord.

It works with persons and agencies to promote harmonious ethnic relations. The Commission is also mandated to investigate complaints against persons making comments which are believed to be inciting, among other functions.

The badly-mutilated bodies of 16-year-old Isaiah Henry and 19-year-old Joel Henry of West Coast Berbice (WCB) were discovered almost one day after they went missing. They had reportedly left last Friday to pick coconuts in the backdam.

After hours of searching, the badly-chopped bodies were discovered among the bushes, and were partially

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF?

ERC Chairman, Rev John Smith

covered in mud. The murders have sparked outrage in the communities along the West Berbice corridor and resulted

in violent protests. Two persons have since been killed in retaliation by the protestors.

Additionally, some passersby have been robbed and beaten, and buildings and vehicles have been set on fire. Several roads have also been blocked over the past three days, preventing commuters from getting to their destinations freely.

President Irfaan Ali had made an impassioned appeal to the residents to express their emotions in a manner that is lawful and respectful, and to allow the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to carry out its duties uninterruptedly.

The President had also cautioned all Guyanese to be very careful regarding their statements and comments

Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon

on social media, so as to prevent the situation from deteriorating.

Tuschen man wanted for La Jalousie robbery

T

he Guyana Police Force (GPF) has issued a wanted bulletin for 30-year-old Elaz Alu Khan for questioning in relation to a robbery committed on Rajmattie Panday on August 8, 2020 at La Jalousie, West Coast Demerara (WCD).

The last known address of Khan, Police stated, is Lot 2622 Tuschen

Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo (EBE).

Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Khan is asked to contact the Police on telephone numbers 227-2603, 2266978, 911 or at the nearest Police Station.

All information will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

Wanted: Elaz Alu Khan

SYMPTOMS

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness.

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms or combinations of symptoms may have COVID-19:

Cough

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Or at least two of these symptoms:

Fever People who think they may be affected by coronavirus need to call the Public Health Ministry hotline 227-4986/624-3067 for further advice. They should not go to their GP, A&E, pharmacy or hospital.

If you have come into contact with somebody who may be infected, you may be told to self-isolate. People needing to do so should take "common-sense" steps to avoid close contact with other people.

(Adapted from BBC News)

Headache

Chills

Sore throat

Repeated shaking with chills

Muscle pain

Children have similar symptoms to adults and generally have New loss of taste mild illness. or smell

NEWS

13

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Religious organisations call for swift justice for murdered WCB teens – condemn violent protests

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he Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha (GHDS) and the Muslim Youth Organization of Guyana (MYOG) have strongly condemned the brutal murders of West Coast Berbice teenagers Joel Henry, Isaiah Henry and Haresh Singh, which all occurred within less than one week.

The organisations have expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. Further, the MYOG has condemned the killing of Prettipaul Hargobin.

The GHDS and the MYOG are therefore calling on the Police to conduct a thorough investigation and bring the perpetrators of these gruesome killings to justice.

The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha and the Muslim Youth Organization have also taken note of the violent acts being committed in Region Five (MahaicaBerbice).

According to the GHDA, “The unlawful acts committed in Region 5 against dozens of innocent people, inclusive of robbery, beatings,

assault on women, and destruction of vehicles and property, must stop at once.

We call on the Government to provide the necessary protection for all Guyanese, and to take strong action against all perpetrators of criminal acts.”

The Sabha has said that while it recognises the fundamental right of citizens to protest peacefully, it holds the strong view that if the protests on the streets are providing the opportunity and cover for illegal acts to be carried out against citizens, then other forms of protest must be used.

“At this time, it is better to have everyone in the affected areas off the streets than to risk even one more incident of attack, or robbery, or destruction, or worse. Everyone is deeply hurt and angry, and clashes on the streets can only lead to more terrible incidents.”

The Sabha added that COVID-19 cases are rising dangerously every day, and it may be best at this time

for persons to protest and express views in a virtual medium. In this regard, while freedom of speech must be respected and protected, it pointed out, racial slurs, hate speech, and abusive and inciting statements on social media must be strongly condemned.

The MYOG, on the other hand, appealed to protesters not to indulge in any form of criminality, such as robbing or beating others; this only harms the noble cause in which they are involved.

The organisation has also commended the parents of the Henry cousins for their strength and fortitude, and has pledged to stand with them to ensure justice is served.

“We urge the owners of the various social media pag-

es not to tolerate such comments, and to report perpetrators to the Ethnic Relations Commission. At this tense and volatile time in our beloved country, we must do everything possible to promote peace, respect and love among all. It is the responsibility of every Guyanese to work together to improve relations and prevent the recurrence of such devastating incidents,” the Sabha noted in a statement to the press.

The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha especially calls on the political leaders to be positive examples for the country, and to work to restore peace and calm to our country. It said that its prayers are with those affected during this difficult time, and it has pledged to assist

the families of the victims.

While it’s easy to cast aspersions on the motive behind these murders, the MYOG asserted, absolutely nothing justifies it. As a Muslim Organisation, it noted, it adheres to the Quranic dictate from Chapter 49 verse 13, “O men! Behold, We have created you all out of a male and a female, and have made you into nations and tribes, so that you might come to know one another. Verily, the noblest of you in the sight of God is the one who is most deeply conscious of Him. Behold, God is all-knowing, all-aware” “We are aware that, as Muslims in Guyana, all races stand toe-to-toe with each other in prayer, and not in acrimony or hatred,” the MYOG said in conclusion.

Family of murdered Trinidadian national arraigned miner calls for justice for causing death of pedal cyclist

By LaWanda McAllister

T

he family of Tyrone Thomas whose decomposed body was discovered on September 6 at Thomas Island, Puruni River in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) wrapped in a hammock are now calling for justice.

Reports are Thomas worked as a miner on a land dredge which is located on Thomas Island. On August 16, 2020, the owner of the dredge left the now dead man and another worker, a Brazilian national, in the camp.

The dredge owner told Police about a week ago he received a phone call from Thomas who informed him that the Brazilian national had left the camp.

However, on September 5, around 19:00hr, when he [the dredge owner], along with two new workers whom he brought from Georgetown, went to the camp, they did not see Thomas.

About 07:00h, the owner claimed that he smelt a stench coming from Puruni River close to his camp and he went to investigate. He then observed the body of the miner wrapped in a multicoloured hammock stuck besides a tree in the river.

Cops said when they visited the scene, they observed

Dead: Tyrone Thomas

that the hands and legs of the victim were bound and there was a gaping wound above the right eye.

In an interview with Guyana Times on Thursday, the victim’s sister, Ereena Thomas, explained how she learnt of her brother’s death.

“I heard that they found him at the river side with two engines strapped to his body.

I can’t even say how long he has been working there and who he was working with, because our mom only passed away in April, and he only started communicating back with us about a year ago. He never told us of a company name or anything, we were just going with what he said,”

she explained.

The grieving sister said she was still waiting on the Police to provide them with more information, since they were still trying to figure out what might have led to their brother’s death.

“All they told us is that the investigations are ongoing. We just want to make sure whoever it is that higher authorities look into every possible lead, because it not nice, it is not, something that actually terrible,” she said.

The woman stated that it was very hard for family members, because they were forced to bury him without getting a glimpse of his remains.

“Family couldn’t even see him, because he was that decomposed; somebody really didn’t want us to actually find him. We want that person to be brought to justice, if it’s more than one or not,” she said.

Meanwhile, when contacted, Region Seven Commander Dion Moore said investigations were ongoing, and ranks have intensified investigations to find the perpetrator (s).

The miner was described as a “very friendly” person who always got along with everyone. He leaves to mourn his siblings, family, and friends.

The accident in front of Yokohama Auto Sales

A

Trinidadian national was on Thursday arraigned for causing the death of a 40-year-old pedal cyclist when he appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court.

Twenty-five-year-old Akedo Isaiah McPhee, of Oronoque Street, Queenstown, Georgetown, was not required to plead to the charge which read that on September 3, 2020, at Bel Air Public Road, Greater Georgetown, he drove pickup GTT 8153 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Navindra Doray.

McPhee appeared be-

fore Magistrate Melissa Mittelholzer and was remanded to prison until September 28, 2020.

It was reported that on the day in question about 13:00h, Doray, of Block “F” Sophia, Greater Georgetown, was proceeding along the Bel Air Public Road when the pick-up slammed into him from behind.

The Tacoma pick-up was reportedly travelling at a fast pace and as the driver approached the Yokohama Auto Sales, he overtook several vehicles on the inside lane and in doing so collided with the pedal cyclist. He then lost

control and slammed into a concrete fence.

Further, the vehicle then turned turtle and ended up in the centre of the East Coast Highway.

As a result of the collision, the pedal cyclist was tossed into the air and landed on the road surface sustaining injuries to his head and body.

The driver, along with a 32-year-old male occupant, was also injured. They were all picked up and taken to Georgetown Public Hospital for medical treatment. However, upon arrival, the pedal cyclist was pronounced dead.

14 NEWS

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

47 new COVID-19 cases recorded

W

ith increased testing for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), 47 new cases were detected as of Thursday, September 10, 2020 which has brought the total to a whopping 1750.

On Wednesday, 90 new cases were recorded.

Statistics from the Health Ministry’s dashboard showed a gender breakdown of 862 males and 888 females infected thus far.

There are 14 persons in the designated Intensive Care Unit (ICU) – a decrease of two. Other figures showed the number of persons in home isolation increasing from 543 to 547.

Some 51 persons are in institutional isolation – a decline of one. There are 77 individuals in institutional quarantine. From the confirmed cases, 1030 persons have recovered – an increase of 43.

Of the new cases, three were detected in Region One (Barima-Waini); 17 in

Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 22 in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica); two in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and three in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

On Thursday, the number of persons tested increased to 10,459 in keeping with the Health Ministry’s mandate to increase testing.

The Department of Public Information (DPI) on Wednesday informed that Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony announced that the Government was examining the possibility of sending COVID-19 samples from Region Nine to Brazil for testing.

“We have been exploring with the Government of Brazil, and in particular the State of Roraima to be able to send our samples from Region Nine, across to Brazil for them to process them for us,” the Health Minister was quoted as saying.

Dr Anthony said

Government was hoping to finalise these arrangements in a meeting with the Brazilian authorities that is set for today. These efforts will clear the existing backlog that resulted from increased testing.

Already, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has assisted to test a few hundred samples. Out of the 500 samples that were sent to CARPHA, , more than 400 have been returned, and an additional 138 were sent last Monday.

Dr Anthony further disclosed that regional and district hospitals across the country are now able to offer testing, as kits have been made available to them.

In addition, he said that they have identified other sites for COVID-19 sample collection in Region Four.

These sites are located at Paradise on the East Coast of Demerara, Herstelling on the East Bank of Demerara and the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Guyana records 3 more COVID-19 deaths T

hree more persons died on Thursday as a result of COVID-19, bringing Guyana’s death toll to 51.

They are 32-year-old Paul Lowe of Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD); 66-year-old Monyra Moses of Mahaica, East Coast Demerara ECD);, and 65-year-old Alfred Gonsalves of Sophia, Greater Georgetown.

Information reaching Guyana Times revealed that Lowe was admitted on August 20, and was tested

the same day. His results came back the following day as positive.

He had since been receiving treatment in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Georgetown Public Hospital; however, his condition worsened in recent days and on Wednesday, he was intubated. Lowe died on Thursday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Moses was admitted on August 29, and was swabbed on the same day. His results came back on September 2. He too died

in the COVID-19 ICU on Thursday morning.

Also, on Thursday, the Health Ministry announced the death of 65-year-old Gonsalves. He died some time before 13:00h while receiving care in the COVID-19 ICU as well.

This publication was told that Gonsalves had been bed-ridden for seven years.

He was admitted on August 31 and swabbed the following day. His results came back on September 5 as positive.

The Health Ministry has indicated that it has contacted all relatives and persons to facilitate contact tracing and rapid assistance to everyone who may have been exposed to the now-dead persons.

Guyana recorded its 49th COVID death on Monday when an 84-year-old man from Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) died around 23:00h while receiving medical care.

Over the past few weeks, Guyana has seen a spike in its COVID-19 death toll. In fact, the number of deaths in the month of August was 21 – nearly double the amount recorded since the country

had its first death on March 11.

During a press conference last week, Health Minister Anthony had explained that the increased number of COVID-related deaths could be attributed to the fact most of the victims who died had underlying health conditions for which they were admitted.

He noted that many of these persons did not know they had the life-threatening disease until they were tested and their results came back positive.

“Many of those patients who have died had comorbidities, which is they had varying diseases,” the Minister noted.

Moreover, Director of Medical and Professional Services (DMPS) at the Georgetown Public Hospital, which houses the country’s lone COVID-19 ICU, Dr Fawcett Jeffrey, told reporters on Tuesday that the spike in COVID fatalities were not as a result of shortages of medical equipment or protective gear in the designated ICU. As the virus progresses, more information has been surfacing about its na-

Dead: Paul Lowe

ture, which has established a link between comorbidity and the death rate. The Health Ministry had previously cautioned persons with pre-existing conditions that they were more at risk of contracting COVID-19.

“When you have COVID-19 and comorbidities, then this can lead to your demise. I don’t think there is a limitation of resources for my doctors who are working in the COVID-19 ICU that has actually caused the demise of the patients. It’s just the natural history of COVID-19 patients that are severely ill and have comorbidities that has caused the number of deaths,” Dr Jeffrey informed.

The DMPS further noted that a team has been established to review deaths from the virus to produce answers, as well as to improve treatment for new patients.

It was also found that very young patients who succumbed to the virus also had

underlying conditions.

“So far, in the reviews of the patients that we have had, there is nothing specific that we can say was a deficiency, that led to the demise of the patient. Even though internationally it was said that the elderly are the more affected age group; in Guyana, we had quite a young age group of persons that tended to succumb, but all of them had some comorbid condition,” he explained.

Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures, which are in effect until September 30, 2020.

If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or need any additional information, they are asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline on 231-1166, 2267480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit the Ministry’s website at www.health.gov. gy

NEWS

15

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Indian High Commission TCI calls on leaders to show solidarity to quell violent protests donates medical supplies to ….such unlawful acts threaten the rule of law – Bar Association

T

he Bar Council of the Bar Association of Guyana and The Citizenship Initiative (TCI), a small party which contested the March 02, 2020 General and Regional elections, have joined in expressing condolences to the families of the four young men murdered in West Coast Berbice.

While the TCI is calling on national leaders to stand in solidarity to quell the violent protests, the Bar Association notes that such actions violate criminal laws and threaten the foundation of society and the Rule of Law. The Bar Council assured that it unreservedly stands with the families, friends and loved ones of the deceased, together with other members of society and organizations in calling for a comprehensive, transparent, impartial and efficient investigation, followed by a timely prosecution so that the perpetrators who caused the horrific loss of these teenage lives can be brought to justice.

The Bar Council said that while it empathises with the inconsolable loss and sor-

row of the relatives of these young men, it is nevertheless compelled to condemn, and must condemn in the strongest terms, the unlawful actions of other members of society over the past three days, which have caused the loss of life; incitement of hatred and ill-will by persons in our society against our neighbours and other members of society; unprovoked acts of violence; malicious destruction of property; and disruption of livelihoods.

The TCI, on the other hand, is urging all Guyanese to refrain from adding fuel to an already horrendous situation, and is asking everyone to be mindful of the things they say and do in the upcoming days in an extremely tense nation. In this regard, the political party added, it is imperative that all extend collective responsibility for citizens’ safety at this time.

Meanwhile, the Bar Council pointed out that Guyana remains a developing democracy built on the Rule of Law, respect for human rights, and regard for our collective human dignity.

“We have come too far as

a society to permit ourselves to descend into anarchy and back to bleak days. We all owe a collective responsibility to each other to live in peace and not in pieces.

We urge members of society and leaders to be responsible in their actions, and respect the Rule of Law in addressing the recent events which have taken place in West Coast Berbice,” the Bar Council concluded.

“Nothing will ever justify these killings,” the TCI asserted. It further said that this is truly a sombre time in Guyana’s history since there is no winner when tragedy strikes.

“Each of these murders should be treated with the urgency and professionalism required to bring justice to the families and the nation at large. Nothing less would suffice. These four deaths shall not be the beginning of a race war. It would be a dishonour to those who have lost their lives and their families, who surely deserve justice.

“We call on the Guyana Police Force to do everything within its power to bring those responsible to justice,” TCI expressed.

WCB protests

ERC calls on Joint Services to re-establish law and order

T

he Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) has called on the Joint Services to ensure the East Coast and West Coast Berbice corridors are sanitised, blockades removed and law and order restored.

The ERC made this call amid the challenges and complexities that resulted in protest action which erupted following the deaths of Isaiah and Joel Henry, and later those of Haresh Singh and Prittipaul Hargobin.

“The Commission congratulates the Joint Services for exercising considerable restraint while encountering rising adversity in its efforts to restore normalcy.

However, the ERC remains deeply concerned at the atrocities being committed during those protests which have been unhelpful to ef-

forts of improving race relations in Guyana,” the ERC stated in a release.

It added that the Commission noted that worthy of praise were the public appeals made by President Dr Irfaan Ali and People’s National Congress Chairman Volda Lawrence, and even the father of one of the victims against the spiralling cycle of violence and destruction which has claimed more lives.

“The ERC believes the efforts of the Joint Services can reassure citizens of their safety and well-being while serving to reduce tensions and hindrances to the Police conducting investigations. The Commission also calls on the hardworking men and women in uniform to urgently conduct more effective patrols along the af-

fected roadways, including aerial reconnaissance of the situation on the ground,” the constitutional body said.

Meanwhile, the Commission said it empathised with the grieving families in their calls for justice and reiterated that it would take the necessary course of action within the confines of its constitutional mandate to assist in the de-escalation of tensions.

“The body also remains committed to taking whatever course of action it deems necessary to promote ethnic harmony and good relations throughout Guyana.”

The ERC, being a non-political body, reminds all to demonstrate tolerance and appreciation towards fellow citizens, regardless of ethnic background in this very challenging period.

the ECC&I to fight COVID-19

Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr KJ Srinivasa with some of the items that were donated to the ECC&I

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he High Commission of India in Guyana on Thursday donated medical supplies and essential items to the Essequibo Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ECC&I) to assist in its efforts to combat the COVID-19 outbreak and help the people of Essequibo in this difficult situation.

The medical supplies donated include COVID-19 test kits, infrared thermometers, KN95 masks, surgical masks, hand sanitisers, nitrile gloves, hazmat suits and cleaning agents.

The High Commission organised these items for donation to the Chamber through the full support of the Bank of Baroda in

Guyana.

High Commissioner, Dr KJ Srinivasa and Bank of Baroda Managing Director Arun Kumar Gupta handed over the items in the presence of Regional Executive Officer (REO) Devanand Ramdatt; Chamber President Suean Seewnarayan and Regional Health Officer, Dr Afarah Khan.

On September 2, the Government of India extended US$1 million in assistance to the Government of Guyana to combat the pandemic.

These funds are aimed at improving health infrastructure and capacities in Guyana and to enable the people in Guyana to receive

more COVID-19-related medical care and health services.

The US$1 million will be used for improving medical and health care in Guyana, for procurement of life-saving medical supplies and equipment, including 29 ventilators, 4800 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)-clothing coveralls, 4799 masks, 4366 face shields, 70 boxes of examination gloves, and various other supplies. Additionally, the Government of India has provided 30,000 Hydroxychloroquine tablets to the Government of Guyana as a gesture of goodwill in further support of its COVID-19 fight.

World Suicide Prevention Day

Massy Guyana continues to support suicide prevention, mental health awareness

A

mid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Massy Group in Guyana continues to be a strong advocate for suicide prevention and mental health awareness.

The Group has managed over the years to partner with several agencies and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to get the message out that one life lost is one too many, through drama, debating competitions, sensitisation walks, discussion forums, and televised programmes.

Massy’s approach is in perfect alignment with the theme for this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day, “Working together to prevent suicide.” The Group has and continues to collaborate with the Mental Health Unit, the Education Ministry, Prevention of Teenage Suicide (POTS) Guyana and the Rotaract Club of the University of Guyana.

In light of COVID-19

pandemic, the Group had to adjust its plans for 2020 to focus on activities that would ensure compliance with the COVID-19 guidelines issued by the Health Ministry.

One such activity is sponsorship of a five-minute radio programme, “Mental Health Matters with Massy” on Jump Start -from August 3 to October 1, 2020. While bringing awareness, the programme provides practical tips (approved by the Mental Health Unit) to the general public on mental health and suicide prevention.

Another initiative is “Wear IT Yellow and Green” - In support of World Suicide Prevention and World Mental Health Day on September 10 and October 10 respectively, more than 800 employees will be adorned with yellow and green ribbons and attire to show solidarity.

And finally, positive and uplifting messages will con-

tinue to be posted on the Facebook pages of all the operating companies of the Group in Guyana. Helplines are also listed for persons to get professional help and assistance.

The Steering Committee which plans the annual activities is also presently examining a “book drive initiative”, which may see the Group donating age-appropriate literature on suicide prevention and mental health to secondary schools all across Guyana to provide more knowledge and build awareness among our youths.

The Massy Group encourages everyone to educate themselves on the telltale signs of suicide and to reach out and help.

If you or someone you may know may be at risk for suicide, seek help by calling the lifelines: 226-1402, 2261405, 225-0804, 226-1416, 223-0001, 223-0009, 6007896, or 623-4444.

16 NEWS

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Internal strife making Guyana a continuing regional problem

By Sir Ronald Sanders

O

nce again, Guyana is causing regional and international worry following two sets of killings of young men (two of African origin and two of Indian origin) that have sparked the flames of communal violence and threaten to engulf the country.

The facts of these killings are yet unknown and unestablished. As this commentary is being written, the Police are still in the process of investigating the crimes. What should be a period of national support to find the perpetrators and deliver justice has been misused to promote violence and civil disturbance.

Justice for the four persons who have been killed is necessary, but justice is not about assuming facts, acting lawlessly and exploiting emotional sentiment to further the ambitions of a few politicians.

Following the first killings of the AfricanGuyanese teenagers, Isaiah and Joel Henry, supporters of the opposition, APNU/ AFC, blocked main highways and confronted Police.

Hooligans took advantage of the protests to commit atrocities which included beatings. The following day, two Indo-Guyanese were killed – one of them a 17-year old, Haresh Singh, and the other Prettipaul Hargobin who was beaten to death by a crowd.

Commendably, Volda Lawrence, the Chairman of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), the main party in the opposition APNU, made a public statement, saying: “I am

calling on every single member of the People’s National Congress Reform, irrespective of your status, I am saying that we cannot continue. This carnage must stop.” Similar strong statements from the Opposition Leader in Parliament, Joseph Harmon, and former President David Granger, would be the responsible thing for them to do.

Guyanese, who lived through Guyana’s destructive and haunting racial violence between 1962 and 1964, worry that a similar disaster is being promoted, which could not be controlled or stopped without foreign military intervention. In the 1962-64 period, Guyana was a British colony and British troops intervened. Nonetheless, the considerable loss of life and property wounded the country and scarred the society.

Addressing the present situation, Guyana’s President, Irfaan Ali, assured the Guyanese people that his Government “will work to bring justice to every single person who has been affected in these circumstances”. He announced that he would be approaching the British Government and the Caribbean Regional Security System for help in investigating the killings.

He should include a forensic investigator in his request.

An external qualified investigator would help to give confidence to the thoroughness of investigations.

President Ali also said that he is “exploring the commissioning of an International Commission of Inquiry to look at every aspect of this situation”. However, he should

Sir Ronald Sanders

also consider how, as a nation, Guyana will, internally, address the racial issue that has been exploited for so long. International Commissions might be helpful, but as in South Africa and Northern Ireland, it is in Guyana that solutions to communal strife must be found.

In this, he should follow the lead of a remarkable Guyanese – Gladstone Henry, the father of one of the murdered boys. Henry has publicly declared, “I am not supporting immoral protesting. As a family we want justice (but) we as a nation cannot be fighting each other”.

Therefore, consideration might be given to the creation of a “One Guyana Commission”, to explore practical steps that can be taken to cement Guyana’s one society. The work of the Commission should be countrywide, listening to the free contention of all voices, concerning ways in which every Guyanese can honour the strands of their ancestral heritage while celebrating their uniquely blended Guyanese civilisation, with equal opportunities for all.

An observation made by

Joshua Hyles in his book, “Guiana and the Shadows of Empire” is compelling: “Country studies of Guyana point out that the country’s disparate ethnic groups have come to resemble one another culturally and physically more than those of their (racial) countries of origin”.

In other words, what Hyles is saying is that a person of Indian or African origin living in Guyana often exhibits more cultural and physical similarities to a person of Indian or African origin in Guyana than another Indian or African abroad.

This is a truism for any Guyanese of Indian

or African origin who has travelled to India or Africa.

Those, who have visited the lands of their ancestors, recognise that their visceral homeland is Guyana. The challenges of language, of tribe, of caset, of culture set aside Guyanese, except Amerindians, from the distant lands of their ancestors.

Guyanese – of all races – have resided together for almost two centuries.

In doing so, a Guyanese civilisation has been woven from strands that originated in other lands – in India, Africa, Europe, China and in Guyana itself. What has been created is a unique blend that is Guyanese.

Together, the two main groups in Guyana – people whose ancestors came from Africa and India – are a formidable force. The British colonisers and plantation owners knew that very well, which is why they employed the strategy of divide and rule; a strategy continued by self-serving local politicians. In the words of Lord Varys in the television series, Game of Thrones: “He would see this country burn

if he could be King of the ashes.”

Guyanese should free themselves from the ‘race’ trap if they are to avoid despoiling their country and robbing themselves of the very high quality of life that their recent oil and gas production offers.

In the past, violence in Guyana has led to refugees, migration, and instability in the Region. Neither the countries of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) nor the nations of the Americas would sit-by and watch Guyana descend into civil strife and violence now.

Such a development would have consequences for them, and they will undoubtedly act if circumstances demand it.

For the time being neighbouring states will keep a watchful eye, hoping that good sense will prevail among all the politicians in Guyana to calm emotions and maintain stability.

Guyana must become part of the solution to the Region’s challenges, not continually be part of its problems.

World Suicide Prevention Day

Govt stresses need for advanced mental health care

…health workers to be trained at primary level

G

uyana joined the world on Thursday in celebrating Suicide Prevention Day under the theme “Working together to prevent suicide.”

The Health Ministry commemorated the day by assuring the public that Government would not cease its efforts to improve services in mental health and, more importantly, in reducing suicide.

In a press release, the Ministry noted there is need for social workers at all health centres throughout the respective geographical areas, implementing ‘multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral interventions’ to promote healthy outcomes.

In this light, the Ministry stressed how critical it is to build capacity to address mental health care.

“We need to continually build capacity for mental health care, while at the same time strengthen our human resources for mental health services. In this regard, health care workers will be trained at the primary level, to ensure early detection of anyone showing suicidal inclinations. We will work to provide training of more children and adolescent medical personnel to guarantee the healthy and resilient transition of our young people into adulthood, so that they can realise their full potential in their lifetime,” the Ministry noted.

Locally, many cases of

suicide are related to alcohol and other substance abuse.

It is with this trend in mind that Government plans to enhance our capacity for treatment and care, as well as to reintegrate persons who have recovered back into communities.

With the COVID-19 pandemic and the concomitant increase in stressors, there could easily be an upsurge in mental illness. Hence the need for social workers in communities is even more important at this time, the statement declared.

The statement also expresses the need for businesses dealing with pesticides and other toxic chemicals to play their rightful role, as well as intentions on the legislative side to implement laws.

“In collaboration with the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board, we will implement laws and regulations governing the acquisition, storage, use and disposal of these substances, as well as move to acquire the appropriate antidotes. In the fight against suicide, everyone everywhere can contribute. It is especially important to involve Police, fire-fighters and other first responders, teachers, media professionals, religious leaders, community leaders, and other non-medical persons for faster detection of vulnerable persons in our communities.”

In many cases, early de-

tection is key to preventing an unfavourable outcome.

Persons who have witnessed noticeable behaviours in family members or friends are asked to offer assistance in the form of a mental health provider such as a physician, mental health counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist.

The Ministry said support of the media in reporting suicides according to the guidelines is also especially important to suicide prevention.

“Unnecessary and frequent repetition of such stories, however, should be avoided, as it could reinforce behaviour that vulnerable persons can replicate and cause harm to themselves. Employers also play an important role in reducing stress and recognising distress and suicidal behaviour.”

It underscored the importance of companies to enable health and safety policies that promote a mentally healthy workforce. Through these mechanisms, employers should consult with their employees in order to identify the causes of job stress, and have policies and interventions in place to address them.

Along with that, authorities are working to update its antiquated legislation and end the social stigma and discrimination against those affected by providing adequate facilities and services.

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

17

You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

The call for justice for the Henry boys has not come only from Afro-Guyanese Dear Editor, The more I read the social media posts by Guyanese following the brutal murder of the Henry boys, the more it pains me to see a Guyana divided in a war of “us vs them”.

To be clear, this is a war generally featuring persons of African descent (AfroGuyanese) on one side and persons of Indian descent (Indo-Guyanese) on the other.

The call for justice for the Henry boys has not come only from Afro-Guyanese.

This might be a good point at which to remind that Guyana is not made up of only two races, but of at least six (6) races, with unique histories and with a large percentage of the population actually being a mixture of two or more of those races. There are actually many Afro-Guyanese married to, or are in relationship with, Indo-Guyanese, and this is really not an odd situation today, even though it would have been in an earlier time.

Yet, many (how many I do not know, but even one would be too much) IndoGuyanese have posted/said some terrible things in response to those murders. I will not repeat those things here, but they have not only argued that the Henry boys were stealing coconuts and that the owners had a right to stop them from doing that (though this has not been established as the reason why the boys were murdered, and cannot justify their killings even if it was), but they have gone on to reduce the boys to descriptions that are

less than human, to say the least, and have further said that persons like them (it doesn’t take much to see that they mean Afro-Guyanese) deserve to be slaughtered in the way those boys were.

This has rapidly driven up the temperature of the atmosphere, not only figuratively, but literally, as persons have even started setting fires in protest of the murders and of such attitudes towards AfroGuyanese. Now there is condemnation of the murders by one side and condemnation of the protests by the other, and those who are silent or disagree with one are automatically branded as enemy agents.

The call on the AfroGuyanese side is now an even stronger push for black solidarity, where Afro-Guyanese will support each other and build each other up. This may be good and necessary, especially at a time when black lives are painfully and tragically being ended without cause and with impunity, not just in Guyana, but in the US and other parts of the world.

But is that the entirety of the world we desire to live in? Where Afro-Guyanese only support each other and where only Afro-Guyanese support Afro-Guyanese?

Looking locally, do we want a Guyana where AfroGuyanese only support and stand up for each other, whether in terms of security, or the economy, or otherwise?

Do we want a Guyana where Afro-Guyanese children are brought up to only care, look out, stand up for,

and support those who look like them? Do we want a Guyana where they can only expect care, support and assistance from those who look like them?

Where will that leave us as a society? What kind of Guyana will that be?

Wouldn’t Indo-Guyanese then be justified in similarly teaching their children to unite only within their own race/community? Ditto the Indigenous People of Guyana and the Chinese.

What about those like me, who are of mixed race, particularly those who are mixed with Indian and African race? Where would we stand? Who would support us, and who should we support? How many ‘Guyanas’ would Guyana then be divided into?

I have even heard it said that our motto: One People, One Nation, One Destiny, is a joke because that’s not who we are; that we have always been, and continue to be, divided. While there may be some truth to that, is that the way we want it to continue being? Is that the Guyana we want to continue living in? Is that even Guyana?

Lifting up the virtues of being One should not mean that any individual component of that One is diminished or devalued. On the contrary, it should mean that if one part suffers, the whole suffers with it (in this case ‘them’) and works to remedy the suffering. When Jesus said that, to inherit eternal life, we should Love the Lord Our God with all of our heart, soul, strength and mind, and Love Our

Neighbours as ourselves, He was asked, “Who is my neighbour?” He answered by telling the ‘Parable of the Good Samaritan’. Instead of putting limits on who is our neighbour, He used persons of different ‘races’ to teach that we should be a neighbour to everyone (Luke 10:25-37).

All Guyanese should therefore be seen as our neighbours.

Right now, AfroGuyanese are suffering, and therefore All Guyana should feel their pain. And All Guyana should be working together to address the source of that pain, and ease the suffering. If or when Indo-Guyanese are suffering, All Guyana should feel their pain, and All Guyana should work together to address the source and ease that pain.

Ditto for every race.

We were all created equally in the image of God, and each of our lives is equally valuable. And if one life is in danger, as in the ‘Parable of the Lost Sheep’ (Matthew 18:12-14), we must focus on saving that life. All Guyanese Lives matter; but, right now, it is black lives that are under threat, so we emphasise that #BlackLivesMatter.

If Indian lives are under threat, we should emphasise that #IndianLivesMatter. If mixed persons’ lives are under threat, we should emphasise that #MixedLivesMatter.

Therefore, in this current situation, we must all stand up for justice for the Henry boys. And we must seek to understand and comfort all Afro-Guyanese, our fellow Guyanese, who are not only

Harmon must be held accountable

Dear Editor, All the acts of violence that resulted in the aftermath of PNC election losses in the past have been well documented and are well known, so I need not repeat.

This is the way they operate: Within an hour of the discovery of the bodies of these two young men, the PNC activists were in the area stirring up racial trouble, and they were immediately on social media. I was so sur-

prised at how quickly they mobilised, that for a moment I wondered if this was a set up.

Harmon’s concubine, Nicole Telford, who was one of the ghost workers at the Office of the President under the APNU/AFC Government, was very active on FB, pushing the racist agenda, and even calling on other PNC areas to join in. Check their social media feeds. I have screen shots in case they take down their ra-

cial incitement.

This will be the modus operandi of the PNC under Harmon. Volda and all the rest can cry crocodile tears now, but it may be too late.

She has no standing anyway; Harmon is the head honcho.

When the horror of these murders emerged, my reaction was that those who did this are monsters. They are not animals, as animals do not behave like this; they are monsters. With a monster’s mindset, the nationali-

ty of the boys would not have mattered. No one who can do something so horrific can be human; they have neither heart nor soul.

I salute the father of one of the deceased boys, who spoke out about the racist link. He is a true patriot, and I extend heartfelt condolences to the family. Be strong; the nation, minus Joe Harmon, mourns with you.

pained by the loss of those boys’ lives, but also are living in fear for their lives and those of their children.

But we do not do this by using this situation to bring pain to other Guyanese, by harming them or destroying their property. We do it by finding those responsible for the pain, and dealing with them appropriately in accordance with the law; and further, by dealing with the underlying factors that created an atmosphere that was conducive to the commission of such acts. We do not sweep any of it under the rug, but we also do not destroy the entire house because part of it

is dirty.

It is time to clean our house, Guyana; but let us not destroy it in the process. It is my hope, my prayer, that this situation will not drive us to create a house divided.

Instead, I pray that out of this tragedy, we will truly be able to have a #UnitedGuyana; one Guyana; A Guyana where our motto is no joke, but is a true reflection of who we are and how we all value each other; a Guyana of One People, forming One Nation, working together toward One Destiny.

Sincerely, Kurt Da Silva

History will not judge them graciously Dear Editor, Words spoken by my political icon Nelson Mandela should sink deep in the minds of politicians. He said, “Our world is not divided by race, colour, gender or religion Our world is divided into wise people and fools. And fools divide themselves by race, colour, gender, or religion”.

Those words are abundantly clear in the context of the escalating situation that the nation has found itself in at this critical juncture.

While politicians have a duty to support and help their constituents, this must be done in a manner that is consistent with the law.

Rhetoric would not help an already volatile situation; it would instead add more fuel to the fire. We all have a duty and responsibility to each other, and we must act in a manner that defuses a hostile situation and bring some sort of calmness where the “lives of all matter”.

I am not a fan of Miss Volda Lawrence, but she has said the right words in this very toxic situation. It definitely shows that Lawrence finds solace in her heart to mention those comforting words. I now have a differ-

ent opinion of her, and I must congratulate her and wish her well.

I am positive that the perpetrators of those heinous crimes will be brought to justice; and those who have instigated, and those who have committed those numerous violations, will hang their head in shame. History will not judge them graciously.

Nelson Mandela continued, “If you wanted to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner”. In his long walk to freedom, Mandela confronts his challenges with dignity and pride.

I am confident we will pull through this ordeal being better to each other.

My condolences go out to the families and friends and the entire farming and business communities of Region Five, for the loss of invaluable lives and loved ones, damage to property, assaults and battery which occurred over this dark week in our history. I agree nothing will ever justify these killings and protest actions.

Regards, Reds Campbell

Are the lawmen tacitly subscribing to this lawlessness?

Dear Editor, The death of the Henry youths is most unfortunate, to say the least; but the fact that the judgment is pronounced without any investigation is even less fortunate.

The youths were chopped to death, according to reports. This is indeed a hideous, beastly act. But has anyone paused to look into

the possible circumstances surrounding this ugliness? One could ask, for example, whether the socalled perpetrators were acting in self-defence.

Press reports suggest that the youths were trespassing. Could this have led to confrontation? If so, who was the aggressor? If indeed these youths went to the coconut grove to pick co-

conuts, were they equipped with cutlasses? Was it then a case of you either chop or be chopped, kill or be killed?

Nothing can mitigate the senseless loss of lives.

Look at the consequences: robbing, burning, looting, beating, killing and wanton destruction. This is total lawlessness.

And what are the lawmen doing? Sure, they have

the means to quell the chaos.

It is indeed shameful that they choose to be passive observers.

Some of those who observe this inaction might be asking whether these lawmen are tacitly subscribing to this lawlessness.

Quo vadis, Guyana?

Regards, Kesh Kumar

news@guyanatimesgy.com

Yours truly, Nazar Mohamed Businessman

18

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

Regional

Brazilian state to test Colombia protests: Death of man Russia’s vaccine, eyes tasered by Police sparks deadly clashes buying 50 million doses A

T

he Brazilian state of Bahia has signed an agreement to conduct Phase 3 clinical trials for Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19 and plans to buy 50 million doses to market in Brazil, officials said on Thursday.

Governor Rui Costa said a confidentiality agreement was signed on Tuesday to undertake the trials and Bahia will receive an initial 500 doses as soon as Brazil’s health regulator Anvisa approves the protocol for testing.

Russia has touted Sputnik as the first vaccine against coronavirus to be registered in the world, even though Phase 3 trials have yet to be completed.

Costa said Brazil’s federal government should be doing more to establish international partnerships to help the research on the vaccines that are being developed to fight the pandemic.

If the trials that are expected to start in October are successful, Bahia will look to market the Russian vaccine in Brazil through its pharmaceutical research centre Bahiafarma, the state’s health secretary

Brazil has recorded 40,557 additional confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus

Fabio Vilas-Boas said in a statement.

A source in the Bahia Government said the state expects to commit today to buying 50 million doses of Sputnik V. The Russian vaccine is being developed by Moscow’s Gamaleya Research Institute and marketed by the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), which last month entered an agreement with the Brazilian state of Paraná to test and produce the vaccine.

In a briefing on Thursday, RDIF Chief Executive Kiril Dmitriev said “yet anoth-

er big state in Brazil has agreed to procure 50 million of doses of vaccine,” though he declined to name the state and said the announcement would come on Friday.

Brazil recorded 40,557 additional confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours, and 983 deaths from the disease, the Health Ministry said on Thursday.

Brazil has registered more than 4.2 million cases of the virus since the pandemic began, while the official death toll has risen to 129,522, according to Ministry data. (Reuters)

CoP: TTPS virtually crippled

by COVID-19

I

ncreasing cases of COVID-19 are virtually crippling the Police, Trinidad Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith said on Wednesday, as several Police recruits tested positive for the virus.

As at Wednesday afternoon, 114 of 198 trainees tested positive for the virus. Newsday was told that in the first instance, 39 recruits were tested positive, followed by 43 and now 32 more have tested positive for the virus. Griffith, during his weekly media briefing at the Police Administration Building, said the number of officers and trainees affected by the virus was having a negative effect on the running of the police service.

“It is virtually crippling

us. And with COVID-19 when one Police Officer is down, it’s not just that one; it could be dozens of Police Officers directly or indirectly affected in that station. So it becomes a domino effect. So the officers, they are tired, they are working, and doing all that is required. Yet what do they get?”

Two floors at the administration building were sanitised on Wednesday as a precaution.

Recruits told Newsday that they were kept at the academy for over a month without leaving and still contracted the virus. The

last time they were outside the confines of the academy was for election coverage and since August 10, election day, they have been confined. All 114 tested positive after they were confined to barracks.

In March, recruits complained about not being allowed to leave during the first wave of the virus.

According to the recruits, they were told that they were safer inside “under quarantine like conditions” than outside. (Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

Jamaica: 2 new COVID-19 deaths, 74 new cases

J

amaica has recorded two additional COVID-19 related deaths in the last 24 hours, bringing the death toll to 40.

The island also recorded 74 new cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 3511.

According to the Ministry

of Health and Wellness, the two deaths involve a 90-yearold man from Kingston and St Andrew, and a 34-yearold woman with a St James address. The Ministry said both deceased had comorbidities.

Of the 74 new cases there are 40 females and 34 males,

with ages ranging from four to 80 years. All 74 cases are under investigation. The Ministry said there are 26 moderately ill cases and eight critically ill cases.

There were also 32 recoveries, bringing the total number of recoveries to 1052. (Jamaica Observer)

t least seven people have been killed in protests in Colombia as outrage spreads over the death of a man who was pinned to the ground and repeatedly tasered by Police in Bogotá.

Video of the incident shows 46-year-old Javier Ordóñez begging the officers to stop and telling them “I am choking”.

The officers were arresting him for allegedly breaking social distancing rules by drinking with friends.

He was taken to a Police Station and later moved to hospital, where he died.

At least seven people have died in the protests in the capital, Bogotá, in in nearby Soacha.

Defence Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo said five of those who died had been shot. He also offered a reward for information leading to the capture of “the perpetrators of the murders”.

Bogotá Mayor Claudia López said 248 people had been injured, of which 58 had

Video of the man being repeatedly tasered by Police sparked violent protests across the country

received gunshot wounds.

López added that more than 100 Police Officers had also been hurt.

She said that no one had ordered Police to shoot at protesters, especially not in an indiscriminate way, but that there was evidence that that was what had happened in some areas.

The protests were centred on the neighbourhood of Engativá, where Police arrested Ordóñez.

Hundreds of protesters clashed with officers outside the Police Post where Ordóñez was held. More

than 40 such posts, small Police Stations dotted across the city which often consist of only one room, were attacked and 17 were burnt down.

There were also protests in Soacha, south of Bogotá, in Colombia’s second biggest city, Medellín, and in the city of Pereira. More than 70 vehicles were damaged, among them nine public buses, which were set alight.

Defence Minister Trujillo said 1600 extra Police would be deployed to Bogotá to tackle the protests. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Amazon: Official killed by arrow near Indigenous tribe

A

top Brazilian expert on isolated Amazon tribes has been killed by an arrow that struck him in the chest as he approached an Indigenous site.

Rieli Franciscato, 56, died on Wednesday in a remote region of Rondônia state in north-western Brazil.

He was in the area to monitor a tribe as part of his work for the Government’s indigenous agency, Funai.

Witnesses said Franciscato and his party came under fire as they approached an Indigenous group.

Franciscato, who was accompanied by Police, at-

Rieli Franciscato spent most of his career trying to protect indigenous tribes in the Amazon

tempted to take shelter behind a vehicle, but was struck in the chest by an arrow, witnesses said.

A Policeman who witnessed the incident said

Franciscato managed to remove the arrow, which hit him above the heart.

“He cried out, pulled the arrow from his chest, ran 50m (164ft) and collapsed, lifeless,” the officer said in an audio recording posted to social media.

A photojournalist in the region, Gabriel Uchida, told AFP news agency that Franciscato had been trying to observe a tribe known as the “Cautario River isolated group”.

Uchida, who also witnessed the incident, said the tribe was usually “a peaceful group”, but “this time, there were just five armed men – a war party”.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Family speaks out after Paraguay ex-VP Denis goes missing

T

he daughters of Óscar Denis, the former Paraguayan Vice President who is believed to have been kidnapped, have begged his abductors to contact them and give him vital medicines.

Denis, 74, and an employee disappeared on Wednesday from his ranch in the north of the country.

Police believe he was taken by the Paraguayan People’s Army rebel group.

His kidnapping comes after two girls were shot in security forces raid on a rebel camp.

The politician’s farm is lo-

cated about six miles (10km) from Yby Yaú, the site where the 11-year-old Argentine nationals were killed, according to Paraguayan newspaper ABC Color.

Denis and a 21-year-old employee had gone out to visit part of the farm, but a worker found the politician’s vehicle abandoned and no sign of the two men.

Denis’s daughter told ABC Color that her father had gone to visit an injured employee when he was captured. She said his wedding ring and watch were found in the abandoned lorry.

In a news conference on

Wednesday, Denis’s three daughters begged the kidnappers to provide their father with medication to treat his diabetes and hypertension, listing the drugs he takes.

They went to see the location where he was abducted late on Wednesday, they said.

“We want to see our father again. We ask them to communicate with us, that they are open with us. We will listen to them, we are waiting for their communication,” María Beatriz Denis is quoted as saying. (Excerpt from BBC News)

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil prices post loss as EIA reports 1st weekly US crude-stock climb in 7 weeks

O

il prices posted a loss on Thursday after US Government data revealed a weekly climb in US crude inventories, on the heels of six consecutive weeks of declines, raising expectations of an oversupplied market as uncertainty continues to surround the outlook for demand.

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported Thursday that US crude inventories rose by two million barrels for the week ended September 4 – the first weekly rise in seven weeks. Total US crude inventories, excluding those in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve stood at 500.4 million barrels, about 14 per cent above the five-year average for this time of year.

That compared with an average forecast by analysts polled

by S&P Global Platts for a fall of 500,000 barrels. The American Petroleum Institute on Wednesday reported a climb of three million barrels, according to sources. The supply reports were each delayed by a day due to Monday’s US Labour Day holiday.

US refiners took an even bigger hit than expected from Hurricane Laura, which made landfall in late August on the US Gulf Coast, Phil Flynn, senior market analyst at The Price Futures Group, told MarketWatch. The EIA reported a big drop of 1.1 million barrels per day in crude refinery runs for last week, leading to the first domestic crude-stock build in weeks, he said.

On Thursday, West Texas Intermediate crude for October delivery % on the New York Mercantile Exchange fell 75 cents, or two per cent, to settle at US$37.30 a barrel. November Brent crude, the global benchmark, lost 73 cents, or 1.8 per cent, to reach US$40.06 a barrel after a 2.5 per cent gain in the previous session. (Excerpt from marketwatch.com)

Dame Diana Rigg: Avengers, Bond and Game of Thrones actress dies at 82

Dame Diana was given a special award last year at the Canneseries TV festival

A

ctress Dame Diana Rigg, famous for roles including Emma Peel in TV series “The Avengers” and Olenna Tyrell in “Game of Thrones”, has died at the age of 82.

Her daughter, actress Rachael Stirling, said she died of cancer, after being diagnosed in March.

"She spent her last months joyfully reflecting on her extraordinary life, full of love, laughter and a deep pride in her profession," she added.

Dame Diana also played the only woman who became Mrs James Bond.

She played Tracy, who married George Lazenby's 007 in the 1969 film “On Her Majesty's Secret Service”.

Lazenby said he was "so sad" to hear of her death, while Bond producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli also paid tribute.

The Game of Thrones official account also honoured her.

Dame Diana's other recent roles included the Duchess of Buccleuch in ITV's “Victoria” and Mrs Pumphrey in Channel 5's new adaptation of “All Creatures Great and Small”.

Samuel West, who plays Siegfried in the show, said: "Doesn't really make sense to think of her having died. She generally lived the hell out of everyone." (Excerpt from BBC News)

Russia, China and Iran hackers “target Trump and Biden”

H

ackers with ties to Russia, China and Iran are attempting to spy on people and groups involved with the US 2020 presidential election, Microsoft says.

The Russian group which hacked the 2016 Democratic campaign is again involved in cyber-attacks, said the tech firm.

Microsoft said it was "clear that foreign activity groups have stepped up their efforts" targeting the election.

Both President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden's campaigns are being targeted.

Russian hackers from the Strontium group have targeted more than 200 organisations, many of which are linked to US political parties – both Republicans and

Democrats, Microsoft said in a statement.

"Similar to what we observed in 2016, Strontium is launching campaigns to harvest people's log-in credentials or compromise their accounts, presumably to aid in intelligence gathering or disruption operations," said Tom Burt, a Microsoft Vice President in charge of customer security and trust.

The firm said Chinese hackers had launched attacks targeting individuals connected to Biden's campaign, while Iranian hackers had continued efforts targeting people associated with the Trump campaign.

Most of the cyber-attacks had not been successful, according to Microsoft. The attacks have also not been launched on groups that

Most of the cyber-attacks had not been successful, according to Microsoft. The attacks have also not been launched on groups that handle the voting systems themselves

handle the voting systems themselves.

"What we've seen is consistent with previous attack patterns that not only target candidates and campaign staffers but also those they consult on key issues," Burt said.

"These activities highlight the need for people and organisations involved in the political process to take advantage of free and lowcost security tools to protect themselves as we get closer to election day." (Excerpts from BBC News)

Brexit: EU ultimatum Huge blaze at Beirut port to UK over withdrawal alarms residents a month after massive blast deal changes

T

he European Union is demanding the United Kingdom ditches plans to change Boris Johnson's Brexit deal "by the end of the month" or risk jeopardising trade talks.

The UK has published a bill to rewrite parts of the withdrawal agreement it signed in January.

The EU said this had "seriously damaged trust" and it would not be "shy" of taking legal action against the UK. But Cabinet Minister Michael Gove said the UK had made it "perfectly clear" it would not withdraw the bill.

The Government says Parliament is sovereign and can pass laws which breach the UK's international treaty

obligations.

EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said "trust and confidence are and will be key", after the latest round of UKEU trade talks wrapped up in London on Thursday.

His UK counterpart David Frost said "significant" differences remained over a free trade deal, but added discussions would continue in Brussels next week.

The source of the EU's concern is Johnson's proposed Internal Market Bill, which was published on Wednesday.

It addresses the Northern Ireland Protocol – an element of the withdrawal agreement designed to prevent a hard border returning to the island of Ireland. (Excerpt from BBC News)

A

large fire erupted at Beirut port on Thursday, engulfing parts of the Lebanese capital in a pall of smoke weeks after a massive blast devastated the port and ruined a swathe of the city.

The blaze began in the shattered duty-free zone of the port, prompting some residents to flee the city still traumatised by last month’s explosion that had followed a port fire.

Army helicopters dropped water as firefighters battled on the ground to bring the blaze under control.

By nightfall, officials said most flames had been extinguished. Smoke still rose

from smouldering wreckage, but it was far less dense.

The blaze strained nerves already on edge. The city is reeling from the August 4 port blast and the nation is grappling with a deep economic crisis that has posed the biggest threat to Lebanon’s stability since its 1975-1990 civil war.

“For sure we were scared, it’s only been a month since the explosion that destroyed Beirut. We saw the same thing happening again,” 53-year-old Andre Muarbes said after soot and ash settled on vehicles and buildings across parts of the capital. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Vaccine confidence Woodward book: Trump volatile, vulnerable denies lying about to misinformation, risks of coronavirus global study finds

P

olitical polarisation and online misinformation are threatening vaccination programmes worldwide, with public trust volatile and varying widely between countries, according to a global vaccine confidence study.

The study, which maps trends in vaccine confidence across 149 countries between 2015 and 2019, found that scepticism about the safety of vaccines tended to grow alongside political instability and religious extremism.

“It is vital with new and emerging disease threats such as the COVID-19 pandemic, that we regularly monitor public attitudes,” said Heidi Larson, a professor at the London school of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine who led the research.

“Perceptions about vaccines are much more volatile than they used to be,” she told a briefing. “Overall, there’s a lot of confidence in the world about vaccines. But don’t take it for granted. Confidence goes up and down ... it’s highly variable.”

Published in the Lancet medical journal, Larson’s findings are based on data from more than 284,000 adults asked in 2019 whether they see vaccines as important, safe and effective.

Larson said that with drug makers and researchers around the world racing to develop vaccines against the COVID-19 pandemic, Governments should be now be extra vigilant about assessing public trust in vaccines and responding rapidly to concerns. (Excerpt from Reuters)

U

S President Donald Trump has defended his decision to downplay the risks of COVID-19, saying his answers to journalist Bob Woodward were "proper".

Woodward, known for his reporting on the Watergate scandal, interviewed Trump 18 times from December to July.

Trump said in February he minimised the virus's severity to avoid panic.

He tweeted on Thursday that Woodward did not report his quotes for months.

"He knew they were good and proper answers. Calm, no panic!"

Later he told reporters he never lied, when they suggested he deliberately misled the American public on how dangerous the virus was.

In a White House news

conference on Thursday afternoon, he said in response to a reporter's question: "I didn't lie, what I said is we have to be calm, we can't be panicked."

Some 190,000 Americans have been recorded as dying with COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic.

Meanwhile, according to Al Jazeera, Woodward's forthcoming book claimed President Trump boasted that he protected Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) after Jamal Khashoggi's brutal murder.

Trump bragged that he protected the Saudi Crown Prince from consequences in the United States after the assassination of Khashoggi in October 2018, the news outlet Business Insider reported on Thursday. (Excerpt from Reuters and Al Jazeera)

20

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

Take a moment to assess situations before you get involved. An emotional incident will require diplomatic action if you want to avoid repercussions. Get the facts before you make a decision.

TAURUS Take better care of your health. Approach situations (April 20May 20) involving friends or relatives with compassion and understanding. Knowledge is power, and honesty will be important.

A change is heading your way.

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SUDOKU

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Someone will mislead you regarding the risk factor involved in a protest or social gathering. Put your health first and make suggestions with your comfort in mind. Choose intelligence over desire.

Be reticent regarding your thoughts, opinions and feelings.

It’s better to say nothing than to send the wrong message. Sitting back and observing what others do and say will help you make the best decision.

Don’t fold under pressure or take on someone else’s battles. Focus on making smart decisions that will help you get ahead. A little charm will go a long way when dealing with romantic matters. Peace and love are encouraged.

A change of plans will make it easier for you to finish what you start. Don’t be disappointed by someone’s inability to deliver. More significant opportunities are yet to come.

Take stock of what you have, consider what you need and prepare to donate what you no longer use Keeping things simple and practical will give you peace of mind.

Spend time doing something you enjoy. Align yourself with people who stimulate artistic and personal growth. Branch out and do your own thing.

Look for the truth.

Someone will offer a false impression or assessment of a situation. Impulsive action will lead to a loss.

Avoid risky situations and do your homework Keep your temper under control. Look at situations carefully to find the best way to bring about positive change. Stick to the truth and question anything that sounds suspicious.

Sit tight and work with what you have. Stick to what you know you can handle, and don’t take on someone else’s responsibilities.

Don’t get involved in something you can’t afford.

You’ll develop an innovative way to help a worthwhile cause. The changes you make will affect how you move forward professionally.

Life/work balance will be a deciding factor in the direction you choose to take.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

21

SA Olympic body instructs CSA Board, executives to step aside

The crisis within Cricket South Africa got a whole lot bigger

C

ricket South Africa's Board and senior executives, including acting CEO Kugandrie Govender, have been

instructed to step aside by the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), which is the controlling body for all

high-performance sport in South Africa.

SASCOC will now appoint a task team to conduct an investigation into the affairs at CSA. The panel will report findings and make recommendations to SASCOC and CSA's Members' Council within one month of the finalisation of the members of the task team.

Along with Govender, Company Secretary Welsh Gwaza and acting Chief Commercial Officer Thamie Mthembu will no longer be involved in the day-today running of CSA. That means that, as things stand on Thursday evening, there is no-one in charge of the operational running of cricket in South Africa.

SASCOC took the decision

Sunweb's Marc Hirschi records maiden win in stage 12 of Tour de France 2020

S

witzerland’s Marc Hirschi produced a superb solo break to record his first professional win on stage 12 of the Tour de France.

Hirschi, 22, went clear with 28km remaining of the 218km ride from Chauvigny to Sarran.

The Sunweb rider had led for more than 80km of Sunday's ninth stage, before finishing third.

Slovenia's Primoz Roglic retained his overall lead on a quiet day in the general classification race. He finished safely in the main bunch two minutes and 30 seconds behind Hirschi, alongside the defending champion Egan Bernal, to maintain his 21-second advantage over the Colombian.

Hirschi, who is participating in his first Grand Tour, also finished on the podium on stage two, when he was second. His acceleration away from Movistar's Marc Soler on the final climb of the day up the Suc au May paved the way for his maiden win at the Tour.

"It's unbelievable. Two times, I've been really close. I never thought I could win today," Hirschi said. "I went full gas in the last few hundred metres. I can't describe my feelings. I'm lost for words. I had in my mind the picture of the last two times when I lost. To get my first professional victory at the Tour de France could not be any better.

"In the Pyrenees, I got the confidence for trying to win today, otherwise I would have never attacked solo in that climb.

What I did last week gave me this extra power."

Meanwhile, Sam Bennett retained the green jersey and has a 66-point lead over seven-time winner Peter Sagan as the race heads back into the mountains.

Friday's 13th stage sees the riders face seven categorised climbs on the 191.5km route from Chatel-Guyon to Puy Mary.

(BBC Sport)

Stage 12 result 1. Marc Hirschi (Swi/Sunweb) 5hrs 08mins 49secs 2. Pierre Rolland (Fra/B&B Hotels-Vital Concept) +47secs 3. Soren Kragh Andersen (Den/Sunweb) +52secs 4. Quentin Pacher (Fra/B&B Hotels-Vital Concept) Same time 5. Jesus Herrada (Spa/Cofidis) 6. Maximilian Hansgrohe)

Schachmann

(Ger/Bora-

unanimously at a board meeting on Tuesday, because of what it said are "the many instances of maladministration and malpractice" at CSA, which "has brought cricket into disrepute."

Whether SASCOC's action constitutes government interference, which goes against the ICC's Code of Conduct, is yet to be determined. The ICC have already received one complaint against CSA from the Institute for Race Relations, who took issue with CSA's affirmative action hiring policy.

The SASCOC has taken action following "at least" nine months of CSA being in crisis, dating back to December last year, when former CEO Thabang Moroe was suspended. Moroe was fired last month on the basis of a forensic report which revealed "acts of serious misconduct."

However, CSA have not made the report available publicly or to SASCOC, and even to its own Members' Council (the body of the 14 provincial presidents) are understood to have had to sign non-disclosure agreements before viewing the report.

SASCOC had demanded to

see the report before CSA's AGM, which was initially scheduled for September 5, but was postponed. CSA's inability to produce the report to SASCOC, as well as the spate of recent resignations, including that of President Chris Nenzani and acting CEO Jacques Faul, prompted SASCOC's interest in further investigation into CSA, which it indicated had been uncooperative in explaining the myriad issues affecting the organisation.

"SASCOC has attempted to address these issues in two meetings with the CSA Board: one was exploratory, and the other failed to take place mainly because of the fact that CSA failed to make the Fundudzi Forensic Report available to the SASCOC Board despite promises and undertakings by CSA to do so," a SASCOC letter to CSA's Members' Council, seen by ESPNcricinfo, said.

"CSA is in receipt of our letter, which records that the Board's decision to make the said report available only on a limited basis, to the President and Board members of SASCOC, is wholly unreasonable and irrational, given the apparent nature and

Williams & Osaka target 2018 rematch in US Open 2020

7. Hugo Houle (Can/Astana) 8. Sebastien Reichenbach (Swi/GroupamaFDJ) 9.Kenny +56secs

Elissonde

(Fra/Trek-Segafredo)

10. Nicolas Roche (Ire/Sunweb) Same time General classification after stage 12 1. Primoz Roglic (Slo/Jumbo-Visma) 51hrs 26mins 43secs 2. Egan Bernal (Col/Ineos Grenadiers) +21secs 3. Guillaume Martin (Fra/Cofidis) +28secs 4. Romain Bardet (Fra/AG2R-La Mondiale) +30secs 5. Nairo Quintana (Col/Arkea-Samsic) +32secs 6. Rigoberto Uran (Col/EF Pro Cycling) Same time 7. Tadej Pogacar (Slo/UAE-Team Emirates) +44secs 8. Adam Yates (GB/Mitchelton-Scott) +1mins 02secs 9. Miguel Angel Lopez (Col/Astana) +1mins 15secs 10. Mikel Landa (Spa/Bahrain McLaren) +1mins 42secs

scope of the report."

As a result of not being able to access the full report, a task team will now conduct its own investigations into CSA's administrative and/or financial affairs. The members of the task team are yet to be identified, but when they are, the CSA Board and all staff who have been directed to step aside will be expected to "assist the task team to execute its mandate, where necessary, when called upon to do so."

This leaves cricket in South Africa at an uncertain juncture, with no fixtures finalised for the coming season, which is due to start imminently.

Neither domestic nor international matches have been released, with South Africa's borders still closed because of the coronavirus pandemic and a lockdown still in place.

Though competitive matches can be played, CSA have yet to reveal any plans for the 2020-21 season, apart from appointing a new, highperformance management staff earlier on Thursday.

As of now, this will not affect South African players' participation at the IPL or other competitions. (ESPNcricinfo)

Serena Williams last won the US Open title in 2014

S

erena Williams and Naomi Osaka will be hoping to secure a rematch of the 2018 US Open final when both semi-finals take centre stage on Thursday.

Six-time champion Williams, 38, who lost that infamous match, faces former world number one Victoria Azarenka.

Japan's Osaka faces 25-year-old American 28th seed Jennifer Brady.

"I think she's a really amazing player. She has the variety that I wish I had, so I'm a bit jealous," said 22-year-old Osaka as she spoke about Jennifer Brady.

Brady, the first female college player since Lori McNeil in 1987 to reach this stage, won her first title only last month. She also comes into this match having won 11 of her past 13 matches, never dropping a set in those victories.

Osaka added: "She's super nice, and I think

it's going to be a really tough match, and I think we're both going to try our best."

The Japanese player has improved as the tournament progressed, recording impressive victories over Estonian 14th seed Anett Kontaveit, and then American Shelby Rogers in the quarterfinals.

Williams, similarly, has improved match by match, and has noticeably grown stronger in the longer contests. Her victory over Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova on Wednesday was her third successive three-set win at this tournament, and the second in which she came from a set down.

"In the beginning, I was a little bit fatigued for whatever reason; so obviously I can't do that if I want to keep winning, so I am going to try to figure that out," said Williams, who is seeking to equal Margaret Court's record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles.

She has faced her opponent Azarenka on 22 occasions, and won 18 of their meetings.

However, the Belarusian seems to be in peak condition. On Wednesday, she showed glimpses of the form that led her to two Australian Open titles and the world number one spot in the early 2010s during her 6-1 6-0 win over Elise Mertens.

"I'm so excited about this amazing opportunity to play a champion, someone I respect a lot and who's my friend," she said of her forthcoming semi-final. "I hope it will be fun - it'll be fun for me."

Osaka's match against Brady opens up the double bill at the Arthur Ashe Stadium at 00:00 BST, before third seed Williams plays Azarenka.

(BBC Sport)

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

Sporting fraternities condemn Berbice doublemurder, violent protests G

uyana’s major sports organisations on Thursday issued a joint statement regarding the current hostile situation in Guyana, stemming from the murders of three teenage boys.

Being part of something that usually brings Guyanese together for the enjoyment of sport and recreational activities, the fraternities felt obligated to condemn the gruesome murders of the youths and the actions of persons who have sought to taint the protests which stemmed from the brutal murders of Isaiah and Joel Henry.

The statement read:

We, the National Sports Federations/Associations of Guyana, call on the nation to unite and condemn the senseless killings that have taken place on the West Coast of Berbice. We are deeply troubled by the gruesome and violent nature of these murders, and wish to extend our condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased.

We call on the law enforcement authorities to conduct a thorough and swift investigation into these killings, and to hold accountable those responsible.

We also call on all Guyanese, regardless of ethnicity, religious or political affiliation, to exercise restraint by not indulging in any form of inciteful, violent or retaliatory behaviour. While we are all still hurting from these events, the time to stop this senseless violence is now. (Signed 10/9/20)

The signatories to the statement are:

Aubrey Hutson: President, Athletic Association of Guyana (AAG) Gokarn Ramdhani: President, Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) Michael Singh: President, Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) Steve Ninvalle: President, Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) Wayne Forde: President, Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Aleem Hussain: President, Guyana Golf Association (GGA) Philip Fernandes: Guyana Hockey Association (GHA) Gavin Singh: President, Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Federation (GMMAF) David Fernandes: President, Guyana Squash Association (GSA) Samuel Barakat: President, Guyana Tennis Association (GLTA) Godfrey Munroe: President, Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA)

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Local cricketers “This time I took responsibility,” Joseph and says Lendl Simmons Yadram enjoying — was haunted by failure of 2019 campaign stint in USA

G

Kamesh Yadram and Kumar Joseph

uyana’s local cricketers Kumar Joseph and Kamesh Yadram continue to enjoy good outings in the United States of America (USA). Joseph is a former Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club player, while Yadram is a former Guyana youth player who played for Enterprise Cricket Club.

Each of these players has recorded impressive performances recently. In 17 games, Kamesh Yadram, older brother of Bhaskar Yadram, scored 479 runs at an average of 43.5; made a high-score of 98, and took 15 wickets.

Regarded as an economical off-spinner, Kumar Joseph played 14 games in the season and claimed 23 wickets, with an economy rate of less than six runs per over. Joseph had a best figure of 4-4.

Notably, he reached the landmark of 100 wickets, and has a total of 123 scalps in the 78 official matches he has played in the USA. In the 14 games he played in this truncated season, he rocked the outfits for the New York Fearless in the Bangladesh Premier League in the tournament he played in New York, International Cavaliers and Kings XI in Minnesota.

Yadram also represented International Cavaliers and Kings XI, and was part of the Cavaliers championships victory in Minnesota.

L

TKR’s Lendl Simmons scored 84 runs

endl Simmons of the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) has revealed that he was spurred on to deliver a victory for his team by his failure in the previous season and his determination to see the TKR over the line in the Hero Caribbean Premier League 2020 championship match between the TKR and the St Lucia Zouks.

In the end, it proved to be a reverse performance of sorts for the opening batsman, considering the Knight Riders' 2019 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) campaign.

Last season, Simmons started the competition well, but went missing in the later rounds. His single run against the Tridents in the semi-finals perhaps set the stage for a loss.

One season later, after a poor start to the

competition, Simmons is free to sing his redemption song. His 54 runs scored from 44 deliveries in the semi-final, and his 84 runs scored from 49 deliveries in the final, played a big role in the Knight Riders not only lifting the title, but achieving a historic unbeaten season.

“Last year I did well in the prelims, and when it came to the semi-finals, I didn’t get a score and we ended up losing the game. So, I took the responsibility upon myself to make sure we got it over the line this time,” he explained.

“I did not start the tournament well, but I ended well, and I am happy with my performance,” he added.

Simmons finished the tournament as the top runs- getter with a total of 356.

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

NOW!

TKR's 4th CPL title was “total team effort”

“Destined to happen,” says Captain Kieron Pollard

K

ieron Pollard believes the Trinbago Knight Riders were destined to win their fourth Hero CPL title this season.

Led by Lendl Simmons’s unbeaten 84 and Darren Bravo’s 58 not out, the TKR recorded an emphatic eight-wicket win over first-time finalists the St Lucia Zouks.

Chasing 155 for victory, TKR lost two early wickets, but Simmons and Bravo mounted a match-winning partnership of 138 that propelled the team to their 12th win from 12 matches; and they achieved their objective with 11 balls to spare.

The TKR have thus become the first team in CPL history to go undefeated for an entire season.

Named Hero of the Tournament for his 204 runs and eight wickets, Pollard said the team used the disappointments of last season as fuel for this season’s unprecedented success.

“Great! Great feeling! We have worked really,

really hard. When we sat in the dressing room last year, you could have seen the disappointment (after losing in the semi-finals),” he said.

“We had rigorous conversations and the mentality of the guys came through even before the camp.

This was destined to happen. They always wanted to improve every game.”

In the final, TKR was without their main strike bowler Sunil Narine - ruled out because of injury.

However, Pollard led by example, taking 4 for 30 in a performance that went a long way in restricting the Zouks to 154 all out off 19.1 overs, after they had got off to a strong start, reaching 77 for 2 in the ninth over.

However, Pollard believes winning the title was a “total team effort.”

“We knew they (Zouks) were going to come hard.

They had a lot of confidence from the semi-final, but that's where we used our experience. We knew in the

team (that) Bravo wasn't going to bowl, but just having him in the field was a boost,” the winning captain said.

Pitch conditions were a concern throughout the tournament. The surfaces were mostly spinnerfriendly, but also offered assistance to the faster bowlers. Meanwhile, many batsmen, and by extension teams, struggled for runs.

However, Pollard said they never allowed conditions to determine how TKR played their cricket.

“We said we're not going to play the pitch or the conditions, we're going to play the round, white ball,” he said. “We knew that each time we set up the game, we would finish well. We had the power in our lineup. Each and every one who came in did their role.

The guys believed in what we wanted to achieve,” he explained.

“It would have been brilliant if the fans were here, but we know what's going on (the pandemic). We hope we entertained each and everyone.” (Sportsmax)

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

12 in a row! Simmons, Bravo lead TKR to 4th CPL championship title Hosein returned with a tight over, and at halfway, the Knight Riders had slowed the Zouks to 79/2.

Roston Chase clipped t h r o u g h midwicket for four early in Fawad’s second over, which went for 10, but Fletcher’s assault ended as he aimed Pollard down

Man of the Tournament Kieron Pollard took 4-30

L

endl Simmons and Darren Bravo ensured Trinbago Knight Riders completed the first perfect season in franchise T20 history with an unbroken partnership of 138 off 88 balls, the highest of Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2020 and the highest ever in a final.

The St Lucia Zouks had posted what seemed to be a competitive total, but ultimately a loss of 7/39 off the last 32 balls of their innings cost them dearly against this historymaking Knight Riders squad.

Rahkeem Cornwall swept Akeal Hosein for four, but was lucky to edge over DJ Bravo at slip. Knight Riders captain Kieron Pollard gave the second over to Ali Khan, and Ali responded by flattening Cornwall’s middle stump. Andre Fletcher clipped fine for four, the Zouks thus closing the second over at 16/1.

Mark Deyal slog-swept Hosein for two fours, and Fletcher was aggressive against Sikandar Raza, taking him over cover and long-on for Hero Maximums, then cutting for

Hosein removed Sammy

the ground but found only Darren Bravo at long-off.

Najibullah Zadran slashed his first ball for four, and the over went for seven, to leave the Zouks in need of a partnership at 79/3 off 12 overs.

While Chase slog-swept the last ball of Pierre’s over for a Hero Maximum, he and Mohammad Nabi fell within four balls, the former chipping a Pollard cutter to deep mid-on, and the latter clubbing Fawad to long-off.

Zouks captain Daren Sammy smashed his second ball for a Hero Maximum, and after 15 overs, the Zouks were 123/5.

Despite a Najibullah four, Ali’s return over went for just

and so Pollard had to step up at the death; and he did so admirably, picking up two wickets with his off-cutter. First Javelle Glenn looped to backward point, then Najibullah failed to clear Raza at deep backward square off another cutter. Kesrick Williams was run out, Ali Khan bowled Zahir Khan with a perfect yorker, and the Knight Riders had bowled the Zouks out for a decent rather than dominant total.

Simmons pulled Scott Kuggeleijn for four first ball of the chase, becoming Hero CPL’s all-time leading run-scorer in so doing.

Webster swept Nabi for four, but then top-edged off Chase, Williams taking a fine catch. After three overs, the Knight Riders were 14/1.

Tim Seifert got off the mark with a four off Kuggeleijn, but fell edging behind next ball.

Darren Bravo, too, got off the mark with a boundary, a glorious lofted Hero Maximum over long-on off Chase, and Simmons took boundaries straight, fine down the leg side, and backward of point off Williams’s first over to close the Powerplay with the Knight Riders at 40/2.

but Bravo smashed the sixth for a Hero Maximum, and Simmons pulled Williams for a six, then cut him for four, becoming Hero CPL 2020’s leading run-scorer and bringing up his 50 off just 31 balls.

Bravo, though, continued to struggle against Chase, who closed out a superb spell.

After 13 overs, Bravo was just 23 off 32 balls, and the Knight Riders needed almost 10 an over, but he eased both of those equations somewhat with two Hero Maximums off Glenn.

Williams’s third over went for nine, thanks to two wides and a loose short ball, and the Knight Riders entered the last five overs needing 45 with eight wickets still in hand.

Kuggeleijn managed to go for just four off the 16th over, despite starting with a wide, but Simmons targeted Zahir, taking him for four off the first and six off the second. Bravo added two big Hero Maximums, the second bringing up his 50 off 45 balls.

Suddenly, the Knight Riders needed just 18.

Simmons was not going to hang around now. He walloped Kuggeleijn for a Hero Maximum over midwicket, then clubbed him over cover and sliced him through third man for two fours.

The winning runs came off an inside edge, but there was now no denying the Knight

Lendl Simmons scored an unbeaten 84

Pollard and Brendon McCullum have built. Victory was achieved two wickets down, with 11 balls to spare, without DJ Bravo bowling or Pollard batting.

The Knight Riders had come Ali Khan together in the bubble, and bowled emerged from it to achieve something truly monumental. with great (CPL) venom

SCOREBOARD ZOUKS INNINGS RRS Cornwall b Ali Khan 8 M Deyal c DJ Bravo b Fawad Ahmed 29 ADS Fletcher †c DM Bravo b Pollard 39 RL Chase c Webster b Pollard 22 Najibullah Zadran c Sikandar Raza b Pollard 24 Mohammad Nabi c DM Bravo b Fawad Ahmed 2 DJG Sammy (c) lbw b Hosein 8 J Glen c Simmons b Pollard 9 SC Kuggeleijn not out 2 KOK Williams run out (Webster/Pollard) 3 Zahir Khan b Ali Khan 0 Extras (lb 3, w 5) 8 TOTAL (19.1 Ov, RR: 8.03)

Darren Bravo slammed six maximums in his unbeaten half-century Zouks celebrated the two early wickets

four. Khary Pierre went for just five, but Fletcher twice smoked Ali through cover for four, and the Zouks motored to 60/1 off the Powerplay.

Deyal lofted Pierre over cover for four, and launched Pollard for six, but struggled to combat Fawad Ahmed’s googly, and edged to DJ Bravo at slip.

six, and Sammy should have fallen to Hosein, but Ali badly misjudged the catch. Najibullah flicked Hosein for a delightful Hero Maximum over cover, but Hosein recovered to dismiss Sammy LBW. After 17 overs, the Zouks were 138/6.

DJ Bravo was unable to bowl,

Chase and Nabi put the pressure on, going for just five between them, and Simmons and Bravo both struggled against Zahir. When Simmons did take on the big shot, though, he nailed it over the fence; and at halfway, the Knight Riders were 59/2 and needed 96 more to win.

Sammy brought himself on and bowled five good deliveries,

Riders’ domination of Hero CPL 2020.

All season, the Knight Riders had absorbed the loss of key personnel - Colin Munro fractured his hand, Ali Khan missed games, Narine had kidney stones removed and was unable to play the final with a knee injury. But perhaps the 12th and final win is the greatest measure of how great a squad

23

154

Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Rahkeem Cornwall, 1.2 ov), 2-77 (Mark Deyal, 8.5 ov), 3-89 (Andre Fletcher, 11.1 ov), 4-115 (Roston Chase, 13.6 ov), 5-117 (Mohammad Nabi, 14.3 ov), 6-137 (Daren Sammy, 16.5 ov), 7-148 (Javelle Glen, 18.1 ov), 8-149 (Najibullah Zadran, 18.3 ov), 9-154 (Kesrick Williams, 18.6 ov), 10-154 (Zahir Khan, 19.1 ov) BOWLING AJ Hosein Ali Khan Sikandar Raza K Pierre KA Pollard Fawad Ahmed

4-0-26-1 3.1-0-25-2 2-0-28-0 3-0-20-0 4-0-30-4 3-0-22-2

TRINBAGO KNIGHT RIDERS INNINGS (TARGET: 155 RUNS FROM 20 OVERS) TKR Innings LMP Simmons not out 84 T Webster c Williams b Chase 5 TL Seifert † c †Fletcher b Kuggeleijn 4 DM Bravo not out 58 Extras (b 1, lb 2, w 3) 6 TOTAL (18.1 Ov, RR: 8.64) 157/2 Did not bat: KA Pollard (c), DJ Bravo, Sikandar Raza, AJ Hosein, K Pierre, Fawad Ahmed, Ali Khan Fall of wickets: 1-13 (Tion Webster, 2.4 ov), 2-19 (Tim Seifert, 3.3 ov) BOWLING SC Kuggeleijn Mohammad Nabi RL Chase KOK Williams Zahir Khan DJG Sammy J Glen

4-0-30-1 3-0-16-0 4-0-13-1 3.1--0-43-0 2-0-28-0 1-0-9-0 1-0-15-0

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

Sport is no longer our game, it’s our business

guyanatimesgy.com

See story on page 23

12 in a row! Simmons, Bravo lead TKR to 4th CPL championship title $805M allocated to sport in emergency budget

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill presenting the budget on Wednesday

P

ublic Works Minister Juan Edghill, in presenting the ‘emergency budget’ to the 12th Parliament

on Wednesday, announced a whopping Gy$805M allocation to Sport in Guyana.

That notwithstanding, the

National Sports Commission would receive $185M for the continuation of various projects.

“Our vision for embracing diversity and exploring the talents of our people has always been the focus. To this end, $2.7B has been allocated for Culture, Youth and Sport, for which $805.3M is for Sports,” Edghill revealed.

Further, he disclosed, “Mr. Speaker, in the area of Sports, as we look to revitalise the National Sports Programme while simultaneously reconfiguring how we undertake them in the pandemic, this year we are going to be undertaking initial work on ministadiums in Regions 2, 6 and 10, and the Guyana-China Friendship Park.

“Additionally, $185M has been allocated for the National Sports Commission (NSC) to accelerate works on the synthetic tracks in Regions 6 and 10, as well as the purchase of sports gear and ground enhancement.”

The three sport facilities in Regions 2, 6 and 10 are slated to be multipurpose.

TKR’s 4th CPL title was “total team effort”

“Destined to happen,” says Captain Kieron Pollard

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