Dear Editor,
IN another section of the media (May 25), there is a statement that “elements of the PPP Liberation Army bombed the Sun Chapman launch (that was on course to McKenzie from Georgetown) on July 6, 1964 that resulted in the deaths of 38.” PPP leaders at the time and consistently till now denied they were affiliated with those who planted the explosive near the engine of the vessel resulting in the explosion.

It is not known definitively what led to the explosion and who planted it. The launch or passenger boat was not ‘bombed.’ The Commission of Inquiry into the horrific act reported that explosives were kept near the engine room of the Sun Chapman launch with the heat triggering a blast. It is not clear if the explosives were planted by an agent (s) or were brought on board to be transported to Wismar-McKenzie to unleash violence on people in Wismar-McKenzie. In my interviews with individuals familiar with the incident, some alleged that the explosives were secretly brought on board and hidden near the engine room so as not to be detected.

Yours truly,
Vishnu Bisram