-Jagdeo says, raps opposition for politicising tragedies, trying to create division

NO stone will be left unturned in the impartial and independent probe into the killing of both Ronaldo Peters and Keon Fogenay, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has promised.

During his Thursday press conference at Freedom House, he spoke candidly to the families. “I assured them again that the People’s Progressive Party and the government will not cover up anything in relation to these cases, that we are interested in [a] full, impartial investigation, whatever the outcome, consequences will be felt by those involved.”

While this is a sad moment for the country, the opposition’s attempt to politicise such devastations have left a bitter taste in the mouths of different sections of the society and Dr Jagdeo has grilled them for this.

“So as predicted, every time we have a tragedy in this country, every time we have an incident of this nature, you can almost predict what will happen. The opposition will show up there, not to even listen to the families; they show up there to start division. They don’t go there because they love the victims of these families. They show up there to exploit the situation, to create division in our country and to generate street protests or mislead people into thinking that no action would be pursued,” he said.

While the opposition has accused the ruling PPP of stoking ethnic insecurity, Dr Jagdeo said that historically, it has been the opposition that has done so.

“We’re [PPP] the only multi-racial party. We’re the only party that does not have an interest in stoking ethnic insecurity because we are working at broadening the base of our party, and we’ve been successful at doing this, people of every race are all prominently represented in the People’s Progressive Party and they are part of our family. We’re the only party that has no interest whatsoever to stoke ethnic insecurity,” he said.

The ongoing investigation is being led by the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), with additional support now pledged from the RSS to ensure independent oversight.

Tuesday saw protests in Linden following the shooting death of Peters, who was shot by a police sergeant on Monday afternoon during the sergeant’s attempt to arrest him (Peters). Keon Fogenay was shot and killed during a protest in the mining town. The situation escalated after Fogenay was shot.

According to a police statement, Peters was wanted for questioning in connection with the alleged rape of a minor.

The police claimed he was spotted at Shabba Bar in One Mile, Wismar, and upon seeing the approaching officers he fled and attempted to scale a fence.

The sergeant who confronted Peters alleged that while attempting to subdue him, his service pistol discharged resulting in his being shot in the lower right abdomen. He subsequently died.

CCTV footage circulating on social media appears to contradict aspects of the police’s version of events.
The video shows Peters standing near the roadside with a group of men when a heavily tinted minibus pulled up.

Several men dressed in plain white T-shirts and black pants—reportedly officers—exited the vehicle. Peters is then seen running. He was chased, subdued, and dragged back toward the minibus by the neck.

Contrary to the police claim, the video does not show the ranks in full uniform.

The sergeant involved, identified only as Kendell, is currently under close arrest as the investigation proceeds

Reports indicate that he was recently transferred back to the Linden district.