THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) is continuing its investigations into the allegation that GPF ranks beat protesters along the Marudi trail in Region 9 on Saturday last. Yesterday, the Guyana Chronicle was able to confirm that the GPF’s Criminal Investigation Department is reviewing footage reportedly taken at the scene, which has since gone viral on the social networks; but efforts to confirm the removal of the errant ranks from the area, and to know if they had already been brought to the city for questioning, proved futile. The only information this publication could elicit from a source at the office was that investigations are ongoing.

Repeated efforts to get an official on-the-record comment from acting Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell proved futile. The commissioner, it was related, was locked in several meetings.

Through his personal assistant, the commissioner had promised to entertain questions posed by the state television and newspaper later yesterday afternoon, but calls to his telephones went unanswered.

This publication will today continue its efforts to receive an official, on-the-record comment from the commissioner of police in relation to what has been described as the brutality meted out to persons in that mining area last Saturday morning.

Yesterday, one of the persons beaten by the police on the trail was scheduled to travel to the city to lodge an official compliant with the Police Office for Professional Responsibility and the Police Complaints Authority.

This publication was informed by a relative that the man would also be seeking an audience with Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell; but we were informed that the man was unable to travel to the city yesterday, because of flight issues. He is expected to arrive at the Ogle International Airport sometime today.

Following release of the video footage of the beating in progress, there have been several, and in some cases renewed, calls for the police to rethink their method of operation and review  the way they deal with members of the public, and how to keep that relationship at an acceptable level.

Among those who a police corporal had beaten on Saturday last were a woman and her two sons who were protesting the removal from a mining concession, which was considered illegal occupancy.

The police had travelled to the area with officers from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission. As the police began the offensive against the miners, their officers and some other police ranks stood and watched the entire ordeal.

Miners occupying the area claim to be awaiting word from President Donald Ramotar on the way forward, since, according to them, their mining area has been neglected for some time now.

The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission has indicated that, like the police, it would be investigating the matter.