THE Guyana Police Force wishes to respond to an article published in the Kaieteur News of Monday July 19, 2010, under the caption “Police Force remembers its fallen heroes”. In the article, Poonai Latchana, the mother of the late Lance Corporal Ramnarine Latchana, is quoted as saying that she has not received the government-promised $1M for the relatives of policemen killed in the line of duty and that the Police Force has not been in communication with her regarding the memory of her son at the Annual Wreath Laying Ceremony.
The Guyana Police Force wishes to state that the Force usually invites all relatives and friends of the rank concerned through a written invitation which is addressed to the surviving beneficiary or next of kin. In most cases this is the wife, children or parents of the deceased.
The Police Force also publicly announces the Fallen Heroes Ceremony through the print and electronic media; it is not hidden.
In relation to communication for the Annual Wreath Laying Ceremony, the Guyana Police Force has been in contact with Rohini Latchana, the wife of the late Lance Corporal Ramnarine Latchana, who under the circumstances, is the next of kin. However, it has been learnt that the relationship between Poonai Latchana and Rohini Latchana has deteriorated over the years and this may be responsible for her not being apprised by her daughter-in-law about the ceremony.
Concerning the $1M, in the case of Poonai Latchana, her son, Lance Corporal Ramnarine Latchana, was survived by his wife Rohini Latchana and their daughter Samantha Latchana at the time of his unfortunate death on March 01, 2004, while on duty at the Brickdam Enquiries Office and they were therefore the major beneficiaries.
However, out of consideration of the fact that Poonai Latchana was residing with her son at the time of his death, the Ministry of Home Affairs provided her with $150,000.00, while the remaining $850,000.00 was made available to his wife and daughter.
The Guyana Police Force wishes to empathise with the relatives and friends of all ranks killed in the line of duty on the occasion of the recent Annual Wreath Laying Ceremony.