President Jagdeo to take action on hinterland crime

PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo, declaring that the high crime rate in hinterland mining communities is unacceptable, has promised to arrange for the Commissioner of Police as well as a senior officer of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to meet with representatives of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), within a week, to address the issue and find ways to prevent criminals harming  residents and miners.
He said it was becoming clear that, because of the current high price of gold, the criminals see the hinterland as the new frontier.
“So they are heading in that direction and we have to find ways and means to stop them,” the Head of State said.
He stressed that people’s lives should not be put at risk in the mining community simply because they have more wealth.
President Jagdeo made the remarks during a meeting with members of the GGDMA at the Association’s bi-monthly meeting in Regency Suites Hotel, in Hadfield Street, Georgetown, on Thursday.
GGDMA President, Mr. Patrick Harding had complained about the rise in criminal activities by people who are going into mining communities for purposes other than mining.
“These people hang out on the landings. They frequent the shops (kayamoos) many of which are illegal and they wait for the miners to harvest their gold. Then they attack the camps, rob the miners, sometimes kill them,” he lamented.
Harding said the GGDMA is very concerned about the increase in crime affecting its members and is prepared to work along with all the relevant authorities and stakeholders to make sure such incidents are stamped out.