MINISTER of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, has announced that Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud should be in a position by tomorrow, Friday, to provide the Government with a draft of the operational plan for the soon-to-be implemented gun amnesty.According to the minister, the high-level security meeting on Sunday with President David Granger was also attended by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, himself, Minister of Social Cohesion Amna Ally, the Police Commissioner, and deputy head of the Guyana Defence Force.
During the meeting, Minister Ramjattan said the Administration got a clear picture of what needs to be done in order to encourage persons to hand in their illegal firearms.
Reporters were told that the operational aspects of the amnesty are being worked out and, according to the minister, it has become clear on the basis of feedback from the Guyana Police Force that members of the public do not want policemen to be the ones receiving the weapons and ammunition.
That has now forced the Government to explore the option of having a civic or independent organisation, maybe a church, that will take charge of the process.
“I am hearing from the Commissioner of Police that by Friday he will come out with an operational manual,” Minister Ramjattan explained.
That operational manual will address the issues of where the guns and ammunition will be delivered; what are the arrangements to be made; and who should accept and deliver and other things in that regard as part of the amnesty.
When that aspect has been completed, the public awareness programme will be launched so that members of the public will be aware of where to hand in their arms and ammunition, Ramjattan said.
Minister Ramjattan said he also wanted to make it clear that Government has not shelved the previous Administration’s anti-crime plan, but has expanded it where practicable.
The Public Security Minister explained too that moves such as the gun amnesty and other minor issues are essential for the Government and the GPF to do as options in the crime-fight.
On the issue of enforcement of the 2 a.m. bars and nightclubs curfew, Minister Ramjattan took a swipe at those who have been saying that he has just come and started closing down shops at 2 a.m. He was quick to point out that the move to enforce the 2 a.m. curfew is just one of the many issues that are being looked at to address the problem of crime in the society.
He again spoke of getting rid of rogue cops, providing the police force with more resources and a host of other initiatives, with the aim of apprehending the most seasoned criminals who have been wreaking havoc on the society.

By Leroy Smith