INDIGENOUS leaders attending the National Toshaos Council Conference on Wednesday evening expressed concerns about Guyana’s porous borders and urged stepped-up efforts to beat back illicit trade of drugs and other contraband.

Ministers of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan; Citizenship, Winston Felix; Legal Affairs, Basil Williams and Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, spent two hours listening to questions and suggestions at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), Turkeyen, where the conference is being held.

Security topped the list of concerns raised by indigenous leaders. Toshaos in Regions Eight and Nine called on Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, to strengthen the porous borders to prevent the illicit trade of drugs and travel. Toshao Charles of Kanapang related that the community’s access road is being used to smuggle illegal substances and is being heavily damaged by miners. “But I need more counselling from the ministry on what should be done for such issues,” Charles pointed out, even as he asked for the capacities of Rural Constables in his community to be augmented.

Minister Ramjattan admitted that protecting Guyana’s borders is a difficult task for security forces; stressing that “community intelligence” is important to ensure that illegal activities are identified and prevented. “We at this stage will do our best and even if we have to use horses as best as possible to help in controlling our border,” Minister Ramjattan told the NTC. He also encouraged the indigenous people to sign up with security forces like the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force to help protect the country.

Gun amnesty
Indigenous leaders also implored Minister Ramjattan to hold more gun amnesty so that they can be afforded the opportunity to have their firearms legally registered. One Toshao shared that there are indigenous people who are wasting away in the legal system because they cannot afford the legal bill after being charged. “Upper Mazaruni Region Seven handed in the most (guns during the last amnesty) and I expect them to be treated well,” another Toshao shared.

Minister Ramjattan told the NTC that his Ministry is hoping to register the weapons of those who submitted during the amnesty but challenges of proper documentation and a broken machine to tag the weapons have been encountered by the security staff. Minster Ramjattan assured that his Ministry will try to ensure that registration and licensing of firearms for indigenous is completed by the end of the year.

Toshaos also related their concerns about police officers who are failing to live by the GPF’s serve and protect motto. Aranaputa Toshao, Aiden Jacobus, related that he had “little trust and confidence” in the police stationed in Annai after allegedly being complacent towards cattle rustlers. Similar stories were shared of seemingly corrupt police officers in the hinterland who were not protecting indigenous people. Minister Ramjattan stressed to the NTC that currently there is a zero tolerance against corruption in the GPF. “Every allegation of corruption or police misconduct must be investigated thoroughly for corruption,” Minister Ramjattan said, while encouraging the indigenous people, “not keep it to yourself, silence is violence.”

Registration issues
Meanwhile, several requests were made to the Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix, for increased outreach in hinterland communities to facilitate the registration of births, deaths and marriages.
Minister Felix, in his response, told the NTC that his ministry “is conscious of the fact that we cannot get to all of you easily” but assured that “we have tried to refine the system to make it simpler so that every birth is registered.” The Minister has pledged to increase outreaches of these services to hinterland communities, even as a series out outreach programmes are lined up for several hinterland regions. (DPI)