Written By Michael Khan
ATTORNEY General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, on behalf of the Government of Guyana, applied to the High Court in Berbice and obtained an ex parte injunction from Justice Brassington Reynolds yesterday, restraining Mr. Jannack Jodhan who is said to be trespassing on a piece of government land at the northern side of Tain, Corentyne, Berbice.

“This gentleman has been in occupation of the land unlawfully, for his own purposes, including the building of fish ponds and rearing of animals. He has excluded the villagers of Tain, Johns and Clifton, Port Mourant from using communal land,” Minister Nandlall told reporters.

The land which is currently occupied by Jodhan is higher and he is constantly draining the land and flooding the lower sections of the other villages. The Attorney General also stated that the illegal occupation of the land is preventing the government from doing remedial works on the sea defence in the area.

ZERO TOLERANCE
“The government is now implementing a zero tolerance policy on squatting on public lands throughout the country; this is a serious problem and the government intends to deal with it in a very aggressive and emphatic way,” he declared.

Rafeek Abdul, Wilhemia Beharry, Ganga Bhoj, Tagenauth Nowrang and Swarsattie Shewcharran were among the affected small scale cattle owners who were present at the Berbice High Court when the injunction was granted in the chambers of Justice Reynolds in the presence of the Region 6 Chairman, Permaul Armogan and Attorney-at-Law Naomi Christie, who represented the state.

The injunction will be served today on Jannack Jodhan by a High Court marshal.

Minister Nandlall added: “If he continues to occupy the land, then steps would be taken to bring contempt of court proceedings and hopefully, he will be committed to prison.”

Meanwhile, Regional Chairman David Armogan related that the Regional Democratic Council has been exercising patience with Jodhan who continues to disregard notices to desist from illegally occupying the State land
.
“Ever since I became Chairman (in 2012), many notices were sent to Mr. Jodhan by the NDC, the RDC and the Lands and Surveys, but for some reason, I think this man ‘eyepasses’ (shows contempt for) our system and that is why we contacted the Attorney General and made sure that legal action is taken,” Armogan said.

He also warned that squatters will not be tolerated, irrespective of their financial or immigration status.

“This is a good opportunity for us to send a message to the rest of the people who are intent on breaking the law. The authority means business and we are going after every individual who is breaking the law and punishing our people,” he cautioned.

The Government of Guyana, through the office of the Attorney General was highly praised for intervening in the matter to bring relief to the people of the Lower Corentyne villages until the issue is brought before the court for further legal proceedings.