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news
week ending March 2, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com
Body of woman found in cemetery T
he body of a teenage girl suspected to have been raped and strangled was found in the Paradise Cemetery, East Coast Demerara under a tree on Wednesday evening. The discovery was made about 17:30h. Patricia “Catty” Young, 19, formerly of Plaisance, East Coast Demerara was found with her underwear off; her skirt pulled to her stomach; and the top she was wearing tied around her neck. Her boyfriend whose name was given as “Jamal” was taken into police custody minutes after the gruesome discovery. According to information received, the teenager and her boyfriend have been living together for more than a year, a stone’s throw away from where her body was discovered. She reportedly left home on Sunday just after midday to join her friends in the city to witness the Mashramani Costume and Float Parade, but did not return home. Her boyfriend, after she did not show up, began inquiring of her friends as to her whereabouts, but no one knew
where she was. It was until Wednesday afternoon, he found a slipper belonging to the young woman and went straight to the Vigilance Police Station where he lodged a missing person’s report and told them about the slipper. The police reportedly accompanied the young man to the area where he found the slipper and after a few minutes of searching the area, the teenager’s body was found. Kwesi Young, the uncle of the dead teen told Guyana Times International that the young man went to his home on Wednesday and told him that his niece was missing. He said that they assisted in searching for the young woman, but came up empty-handed. The distraught uncle stated that after searching for a while, they decided to use the clue of the slipper and went to the burial ground where the woman’s partially decomposed body was discovered in what appeared to be a shallow grave under a tree.
Strong young lady
He is of the opinion that his niece was probably returning home late
Dead: Patricia 'Catty' Young
Sunday evening when the perpetrator(s) carried out the attack. He said that his niece was a strong young lady and felt that it had to be more than one person involved. He admitted that the young woman and the suspect would fight often, but does not believe he is capable of committing the act. “I cannot say if he was a part of it,” the uncle stated. Young added that his niece worked at Kentucky Fried Chicken, but left about a year ago and was employed at Bettencourt at the time of her demise. Patricia’s parents died in 1997 and she lived with her grandmother and relatives
in Plaisance before she moved to Paradise with Jamal. Persons in the area claimed that they did not hear any screams on the night the young lady met her death. A co-worker who was at the scene told GTI that she spoke with the teenager about 21:00h on Sunday via social media, WhatsApp. She recalled receiving a text from the young woman inquiring from her if she was going out, to meet her on Mash night, but she did not take up the offer. She said that Patricia was supposed to work on Monday morning, but
she did not turn up and she attempted to contact her, but the phone went to voicemail. The young lady, who asked to remain anonymous, stated that while at the office on Monday, several persons called to find out if Patricia was at work but she did not recognise the voices. However, she knew something was amiss when the teenager’s boyfriend turned up at the business place inquiring about her. The woman said that she questioned him thoroughly and all his answers were sincere. “We tried to call her phone
but it was the same thing… we called other friends but they did not see her,” she added. In tears, she added that she was at work when she got the devastating news and rushed to the scene. One resident said that the area is in dire need of street lights and the lack thereof might have contributed to the young woman’s demise. The woman’s body was taken to the Lyken’s Funeral Home and is awaiting a post-mortem examination. The former Plaisance Community High School student leaves to mourn her five siblings.
300,000 tons of rice expected in first harvest – Rice Board
G
uyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) General Manager Jagnarine Singh said some 300,000 tonnes of rice is expected to be produced in the first crop of this year. Singh, speaking with Guyana Times International in a recent interview, noted that over the years, the rice production in Guyana has continued to grow exponentially, due to the hard work of farmers over the years. The general manager said this year more land is being put under cultivation, pointing out that Guyana is set for another record-breaking year of production. Last year, the industry produced some 400,000 tonnes of rice, exporting to varying importers around the world. Singh said production this year is expect-
GRDB General Manager Jagnarine Singh
RPA General Secretary Dharamkumar Seeraj
in the water conservancy in their village. The breach had resulted in some 150 acres of rice cultivation being destroyed due to flooding. The farmers were also hit by a pest infestation, when some strange “green looking” worms invaded their fields. The “heart worm” pest, as it is being called, is stunting rice fields, which were replanted subsequent to the flood-
manager said given the increase in rice production, some amount of decrease in prices is expected on the local and international markets, citing the demand and supply theory. Regarding the operations of rice mills, Singh told GTI that so far only 40 plus mills have been licensed so far by the GRDB to operate. Last year, the GRDB registered some 72 mills. As part of the licensing system, mills are required to go through rigorous inspecting by both the rice board and the Guyana National Bureau of Standards. Meanwhile, Rice Producers Association General Secretary Dharamkumar Seeraj told this publication that harvesting has already commenced and is expected to last until August. He reported that over 220,000 acres of rice has already been harvested in Essequibo and some areas of Region Six. The RPA general secretary also noted that all licensed rice mills are in operation and readily accessible by farmers. In October 2013, the rice industry produced a record production, surpassing its 500,000 tonnes target.
Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) General Manager Jagnarine Singh said some 300,000 tonnes of rice is expected in the first crop of this year
ed to top 600,000 tonnes, 50,000 tonnes more than that what was previously expected. The target for the first crop is also 100,000 tonnes more than production achieved last year. The GRDB general manager said he is optimistic that the industry will achieve its target, despite some hiccups earlier in the year. Last month, Airy Hall rice farmers were affected by severe flooding following a massive breach
ing in January. This problem is being addressed. Singh said there are talks with other countries to buy rice from Guyana. These include African nations, England, Columbia and Caribbean territories such as Haiti, Belize and Jamaica.
Optimistic
He said despite the unrest in Venezuela, he is optimistic that the Guyana-Venezuela rice trade would not be affected. The GRDB general