– for deaths during 2012 unrest in Linden

THE relatives of the three Linden men, who lost their lives, back in 2012, during an unrest in the mining community over the electricity tariffs, have ‘slapped’ the State with a $450M lawsuit, claiming that the police were reckless and used unnecessary force in the killing of their relatives.

The men, Ron Somerset, Shemroy Bouyea and Allan Lewis, were all shot dead on July 18, 2012 during unrest in the mining town of Linden over a proposal by the then People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government to hike electricity rates there.

The shooting occurred at the Wismar Mackenzie Bridge during a standoff with protestors and ranks from the joint services where residents were, at the time, protesting the decision made by the former administration to increase the electricity tariff from $5 per kilowatt to $65.

Years after that fateful day, the police have not categorically ascertained the shooters responsible for the death of the three men.

Then Deputy Police Commissioner, Seelall Persaud, had stated that shotguns were used in the shooting and four shotgun cartridges were the only ammunition that was unaccounted for by police ranks after July 18, 2012.

Two of the slain men were shot in the chest while one was shot in the back. It is believed that the shooters were standing about 15 feet away from the protesters when they opened fire.

A Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the shooting found the Guyana Police Force culpable in the deaths of three protestors, but it failed to unearth direct evidence that any individual ranks shot the protestors.

During the COI, no evidence was given that anyone, other than the police ranks, was in possession of firearms when protestors and persons in the vicinity were shot.
Additionally, civilians, including those who were wounded during the unrest, testified to seeing police ranks shooting into the crowd that had gathered at the Bridge.
Following the findings of the CoI, Lewis’ and Bouyea’s relatives received $3M each, while $1M was awarded to Somerset’s relatives.

The lawsuit was filed by attorney-at-law Darren Wade on behalf of the following claimants: Rodwell Lewis the son of Allan Lewis, Jacqueline Bouyea the mother of Shemroy Bouyea and Margaret Somerset the mother of Ron Somerset.

The respondent and defendant in the case is listed as the Attorney General Basil Williams.
The claimants are making an application for a declaration that the three men’s Rights to Life and Fundamental Right to Liberty were breached, encroached upon and infringed by the State.

Against this background, the families are also seeking another declaration claiming that the police were reckless and used unnecessary force in the killing of their relatives.
Additionally, the families are also claiming that the police, not having, and not providing any medical aid, or support after firing the shots which resulted in injury to the three men, causing them to suffer and eventually die, were inhumane.

As a result of the above actions, the families are each claiming in excess of $100M for the breach and contravention of their relatives’ fundamental rights to life and also $50M for the inhumane and degrading treatment suffered by the three men.

The application comes up for hearing before Justice Franklyn Holder at the Demerara High Court on February 25, 2020.