– media reports compromising police work
THE Guyana Police Force will be making no further statements on the kidnapping of East Coast Demerara businessman Rajendra Singh, 40, called ‘Sunil’ until he is safely reunited with his family.
This position was made clear by Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud who said that the priority of the police is the life which is at stake.Speaking with reporters yesterday, the Top Cop said that it was very unfortunate that the media have been reporting on the matter but at a later date he intends to deal with how to treat kidnapping cases.
He noted that when the information which is released to the media is published, the persons holding someone for ransom are privy to the plan of action by the police or relatives and are then prepared to confront the situation.
The Top Cop stopped short of saying that the reporting makes it difficult for the police to be ahead of the criminals in their efforts to negotiate or ensure the safe return of the kidnapped person.
When the businessman was abducted from his business place on Saturday, the kidnappers contacted his wife and demanded $50M by midnight. However, by the following morning they reduced the ransom demand to $25M.
Meanwhile, the reservations of the Police Commissioner with respect to the media reporting on the kidnapping comes a day after the Police Public Relations Department had issued a press statement regarding the kidnapping.
The police disclosed then, among other things, the full name of the businessman, the village in which he lives, his age and the amount of money the kidnappers were demanding.
According to information received, the kidnappers allowed Singh’s wife to speak with him but insisted that she must not speak to the media or the police. In addition, she has been ordered to have the money ready along with the video footage taken by security cameras at the business premises where the kidnapping occurred.
Rajendra Singh is in the business of selling spare parts and purchasing crashed vehicles. It was reported to the Guyana Chronicle that on Saturday night two men arrived at the Foulis, Enmore Public Road business and entered the store. The businessman’s wife saw the men but thought that they were there for legitimate customers.
However, the men drew firearms and beat her husband while ordering the man into his own car trunk. The men reportedly asked for the couple’s 13- year-old son who was fortunately not at the business place at the time but at a barber shop nearby.
Up to press time last night there had been no confirmed reports of the man being found or any ransom being paid.
By Leroy Smith