Dear Editor,

REFERENCE is made to your news report (Nov 1, 2) on the robbery of Marcus Bisram (no relationship to me). On my visit to Guyana and interacting with people, crime is a serious concern. Respondents in a survey expressed satisfaction on how the country is proceeding on the economic front and the attempt to address the effects of COVID. People praised the government (almost 100 per cent approved of the policy) for rendering immediate relief to them through the $25K cash grant to each household, as well as for the uniform and schoolchildren grants; there are complaints that many households did not get the grant. However, people are not pleased over the crime situation that seems to be getting out of control.
There is widespread fear of crime. The Marcus Bisram robbery has focused attention on crime in Guyana; people are fearful of where they go and even in being at home. They lock up their homes before dark and are careful to host visitors even during wakes.
The need for government to tackle this ugly crime situation was stressed by well-known former UG Sociologist Dr Tara Singh in recent articles on this subject in the press. The crime problem has also attracted the attention of letter writers. The gravity of the crime situation has been expressed by some well-to-do business people and professionals in a dramatic fashion. They related: “What’s the point of having an excellent job, a high income, a lovely home, a beautiful family, a nice car, and other perks or niceties. But as soon as you enter the street, you are gunned down in a drive-by shooting or in an armed robbery or robbed and/or killed in a home invasion.”

The recent robbery of well-known Guyanese philanthropist, Marcus Bisram (no relationship with this writer), at his relative’s home at No 71 Village Corentyne has catapulted this scourge to centre stage and is also a classic example of how the robbers have become brazen. All the media reported on the dusk-time robbery. Despite Mr. Marcus having the company of some 17 people at his residence, four armed robbers entered the premises nonchalantly, brandishing guns and a machete. The bandits created a cloud of fear and nervousness among the guests and occupants of the residence; they forced everyone to give up jewellery, cellphones, and cash with a total value of $15 million of which $5 million in cash were to pay for Marcus’s legal fees. The armed bandits sudden appearance startled the victims who became immobilised and reluctantly complied with whatever instructions were uttered by the criminals. The police have since detained eight men for questioning.
It is a shame that Mr. Marcus and other victims of robbery and violence must go through these traumatic situations. Had Mr. Bisram not been detained by the state on what his friends, family, and humanitarian colleagues, he would have never been subjected to this crime. His lawyers and friends have warned that his life is at grave risk in Guyana. He was indicted for conspiracy to murder, a charge which he vehemently denies. He was acquitted twice by a magistrate, acquitted by the High Court, and when the DPP appealed the decision, he was again acquitted by the Full Court. The DPP has appealed the decision to the Guyana Court of Appeal with a hearing set for later this month.

Mr. Bisram is viewed as a humanitarian philanthropist. He has contributed immensely to numerous charitable causes. His work in Jamaica, the U.S., Guyana and elsewhere is well documented in published articles. Several leading community and spiritual leaders, like Pt Prabhu Ramrattan, Dr Satish Prakash, Pt Tillack Seerattan, Dr Tara Singh, Dr Hame Persaud, Professor Girjanauth Boodraj, VJ Bisram, and Pt Rajin Balgobin describe him as a fine humanitarian.  They have commended him for contributions to provide relief to the poor and neglected.

The DPP and Marcus’s lawyers should seek an expedited determination of his case, rather than continuous postponements. Marcus needs relief from further torment, humiliation, and targeting by criminals. Meanwhile, the state and the public must take a tougher stand against crime. The police must take pre-emptive actions against robberies and the court must make examples of those caught.

My support goes out to victims of crime. It is hoped that they would get speedy justice and have the strength to overcome trauma and excruciating pain.

Yours truly,
Dr Vishnu Bisram