‘F’ DIVISION Commander Rabindranauth Budhram has said that ‘disorderly murders’ have always been a problem in the hinterland, as mostly miners imbibe heavily and get into drunken brawls over women, among other things.The Commander related that the leading contributors are alcohol abuse, domestic violence and worksite disputes, involving workers and bosses.

According to police statistics, ‘F’ Division recorded 13 murders, most of which are ‘disorderly’ murders between January and September 2016. For the corresponding period last year police tallied 17 murders.

STATUTORY RAPE
Moreover, he disclosed that there is an increase in sexual offences – rape, sexual harassment and incest – in reservation settlements.
According to the statistics ‘F’ division has recorded 23 reports of statutory rape this year, and 24 in 2015, from January to September for both years. They also had five forcible rape cases and four last year for the same period.

Budhram told this newspaper that they have the police Social Crime Prevention Programme in several areas to target early school leavers and unemployed youths.

He stated that the responses have been positive so far with the involvement of 75 youths from Mabaruma, more than 100 from Bartica/Agatash/Itaballi, 45 youths from Lethem and 45 from Baramita.

He disclosed that in Baramita, Region 1, suicide and substance abuse are spiraling out of control and it is of great concern to the police. Therefore, during their visits they encourage children to remain in school and about 18 who have never been to school were enrolled for the first time.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL DRIVE
Budhram disclosed that they also initiated a back-to-school drive for school children where backpacks, stationery, shoes and uniforms were presented to school children in several hinterland communities with assistance from the business community.

The commander said they have had an increase in resources to boost the crime fighting strategy with boats being outfitted with outboard engines, All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and the inputs of the Mounted Branch in Lethem.

He noted that for now they are working with what they have to respond to crimes with vehicles for overland transportation and boats for riverain communities.

ALCOHOLISM
Meanwhile, President of the Guyana Women Miners Organisation (GWMO) Urica Primus said there are some constraints in the hinterland areas, noting that if the police cannot get to the location in a timely manner some people feel vulnerable as they need protection.

She related that last year during a visit to Baramita, Region 1 (Barima/Waini) the effects of alcoholism were highlighted.

Primus explained that some people in that location consume alcohol on a daily basis and when they get home they beat up on their wives, female partners and even children.

She added that often there is no money in the home because the men spend all the cash to satisfy their alcohol cravings.

Primus said in some farfetched areas there is a multitude of issues when in some cases both parents are alcoholics and often abuse their children.

NO CLOSURE
She stated that as it relates to the murder of miners, there is no real investigation and it is troubling because some men leave their homes to work in the interior and never return.

Primus said there is no closure for some families and in one case a woman was pregnant when her husband, a miner, was killed last year and no one was arrested for that crime.

She explained that people are afraid of the repercussions because when you talk, the same fate could befall you in the interior so witnesses refuse to cooperate with the police.

Primus noted that that is the reason why there are automatically no eyewitnesses to many of the brutal murders taking place in hinterland locations.

She told the Guyana Chronicle that we can talk all we want about these issues but they must be addressed because they will not disappear overnight.

Primus pointed out that in the Cuyuni area, nobody wants to say anything, especially if there is a murder of a miner because they are scared to come forward since there is no protection against the suspects.

RAPE VICTIMS

Regarding rape in the interior, Primus said the victims often face difficulties in filing a police report and GWMO would step in and ensure a statement is taken by the police even if they have to take the victim to the nearest police station. She related that too often the suspects are not arrested even when they are in plain sight and this should not be.

Primus, however said that the relationship between the GWMO and the police has improved within recent times in Regions 1, 7 and 9, but much more needs to be done in Regions 8 and 10.