— during Lindo Creek CoI outreach at Meten-Meer-Zorg

CHAIRMAN of the Lindo Creek Commission of Inquiry (CoI) Justice (ret’d) Donald Trotman has assured the people of Meten-Meer-Zorg that they will not be left out in the dark when the commission completes its work.

The CoI was established by President David Granger to investigate the circumstances surrounding the killing of Cecil Arokium, Dax Arokium, Horace Drakes, Bonny Harry, Lancelot Lee, Compton Speirs, Nigel Torres and Clifton Berry Wong, whose charred remains were discovered at Lindo Creek in the Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice Region on June 21, 2008.

On Wednesday, the commission hosted its second public outreach at Meten-Meer-Zorg — the home village of Compton Speirs.

Scores of relatives and friends turned out at the West Community Ground as they search for answers and reflect on the life of Speirs.
Sadeek ‘Shad’ Khan, a friend of the deceased, while applauding the work of the Trotman-led commission, questioned what action would be taken against those found responsible for the Lindo Creek Massacre at the end of the inquiry.

With a sense of frustration, Khan pointed out to those present that the findings of the Walter Rodney Commission are yet to be made public. Reference was also made to the Bartica Massacre and the Lusignan Massacre.

“You take it from me, you will hear something about this, the Lindo Creek Inquiry… My immediate concern is the Lindo Creek Inquiry and you will definitely be hearing something about it, at the end of it,” Justice Trotman told Khan in response to his concerns.
Omdatt Singh, Compton Speirs’ neighbour, said he too needs answers.

“I know him since he was a young person. We had a really good relationship and I am very much disturbed about the things I have heard that happened at Lindo Creek… I feel hurt because how could someone like my good neighbour Compton Speirs be killed in such a brutal and barbaric manner…I would certainly like to know what took place there [at Lindo Creek], why were these people killed,” Singh stated.

Justice Trotman again gave the assurance that the public will be informed of the outcome of the inquiry when it is completed.

Rhonda Fileen was among relatives that described Speirs as a loving and selfless individual. Fileen told the commission when her parents and grandmother died, it was her uncle, Compton Speirs, who stepped in as father to her and her sister.

FOUGHT BACK TEARS
“He was more than an uncle, he was a father, a brother and an uncle,” Fileen said, as she fought back the tears.

Though it is almost 10 years since her uncle was killed, along with seven other miners, Fileen said it remains fresh in the hearts of his family.
“That morning was very hard; when I mean hard only God knows… when that man came and said your uncle dead… it was very hard and still is hard for our family, onto today,” she said.

Fileen said the pain is even greater knowing that they were not given the opportunity to bid final goodbye to their uncle.
“Even if we had gotten at least one piece of bone and say this was your uncle, we would have been satisfied to know we have something to go and say this is what we have,” she lamented.

Speirs’ 80-year-old sister Carmen Gittens, questioned the reason behind the killing as she broke down in tears, saying that her brother was a good and decent citizen.

GOD IS IN CONTROL
“When I got the news of my brother’s death, I said God, what, I prefer if he had [got] sick and died, but to get such a cruel death like this, but God is in control and God is in control of every situation.”

Merlyn Sullivan said her son was only nine years when he lost his father. Though it has been a struggle, Sullivan has remained strong for her son.
Oswald Grey, who shared a good friendship with Speirs before his demise, cried for justice.
“This country is one of the most peaceful countries around the world but justice, justice…. Something happened… and we want justice,” he demanded.
Grey said though it may appear that “lies have overshadowed truth”, the truth must prevail.

Meanwhile, Justice Trotman, in his opening remarks encouraged persons with information surrounding the Lindo Creek Massacre to come forward and/or submit statements. He noted that in-camera hearings are conducted with persons who express an unwillingness to be heard publicly. He also noted that the commission will raise awareness of its work.

Region Three Information Officer Ganesh Mahipaul rejected claims that Wednesday’s outreach had not been widely publicised in and around Meten-Meer-Zorg. Mahipaul said though the CoI should be embraced by all regardless of political affiliation, there were forces telling persons not to attend the outreach or participate in public hearings.

Mahipaul and Justice Trotman called on all persons to reject such negativity, and urged that full support be given to the commission.