President deplores security forces in river robbery, killing
— body found
“It’s reprehensible but it’s even worse because it was reportedly committed by members of the security forces — people who are supposed to protect and serve our country with integrity.” President Jagdeo

PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo has deplored the reported links by members of the security forces in the robbery and murder last week of a young Bartica man whose body was yesterday found in the Essequibo River.

“It’s reprehensible but it’s even worse because it was reportedly committed by members of the security forces — people who are supposed to protect and serve our country with integrity”, he told the Sunday Chronicle.

“We are not going to leave any stone unturned to ensure that they are brought to justice”, he said after the launch of the latest Cabinet outreach at the International Conference Center at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown yesterday.

The body of Dweive Kant Ramdass was found in the river yesterday.

Officials said Ramdass was robbed by three members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard who have since confessed to his murder.

Two Privates and a Lance Corporal who were manning the Coast Guard RC 12 motor boat in the Essequibo River told investigators shortly after their arrest that they strangled Ramdass, took the money he was carrying and threw his body overboard in the Essequibo River, in the vicinity of Bonasika Creek.

The soldiers made off with $17M in cash which Ramdass was carrying in a box to Bartica for his employer, Baksh, who is based in the city and operates a gold and diamond business.

Ramdass’s brother, Vasu Ramdass, told the Chronicle that the body of his sibling was found floating in the vicinity of Fort Island in the Essequibo River around 08:00 hrs yesterday morning.

Vasu said he received the tragic news that the body was spotted and went there to retrieve it.

According to him, his brother’s body reportedly bore several marks of violence, in addition to ‘a gunshot wound’.

Vasu Ramdass also told the Sunday Chronicle that, when the body was found, his sibling’s tongue was out his mouth and he appeared to have been strangled.

The bloated body was conveyed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where arrangements were being made for a speedy post mortem, given the condition of the body yesterday.

Vasu had, in an earlier comment, indicated that his sibling left home shortly after 14:00 h Thursday with a quantity of gold for Parika and was on his way to Bartica with the money when he was intercepted by the members of the GDF Coast Guard and forced into their boat at the Parika Beach, East Bank Essequibo.

He explained that his brother had made similar trips and had been working in the business for several months.

Ramdass, 24, of 95 Third Avenue, Bartica, attempted to solicit help by using his cellular phone but was prevented when he realised he was in danger.

Vasu Ramdass stated that his sibling was single, had nine other siblings and was trying to make a living like everybody else when he was murdered.

He condemned the brutal killing of his brother by the GDF ranks and asked that the authorities look into the matter vigorously.

The GDF members took away Ramdass in their boat, relieved him of the cash, murdered him and returned to the Parika Stelling where a woman was waiting for them.

She is the sister of one of the ranks and was given $5.7M in cash to hold. She too was arrested at Parika Stelling and unconfirmed reports stated that another portion of the money was recovered by the police during a roadblock exercise.

The ranks reportedly split the money in three portions after they killed Ramdass.

The GDF on Friday strongly condemned the criminal action of its Coast Guard ranks stationed at Fort Island.

A press release said their actions in no way represent the ethos and character of the GDF.

“It is reprehensible and will be met with the full force of the law. At present the ranks implicated are in Police custody,” the Army said.

It added that the GDF has launched a full inquiry into the circumstances that led to the murder.

It said it was clear from initial reports that there was a breakdown in the command and leadership structure at this unit, for which strong administrative action will be taken.

“The GDF wishes to assure citizens, the fishing community, fishermen, small boat and other vessel operators that the Defence Force subscribes to the highest of professional standards and will continue to discharge its mandate notwithstanding this unsavoury incident,” the release explained.

The Force also expressed its regrets to the family of the missing businessman for the pain they may be enduring.(Michel Outridge)