AT a time when President David Granger has promised to launch inquiries into the spate of murders that had devastated the nation between 2002 and 2009, hundreds of Barticans will gather around the Monument of Hope to commemmorate the lives of 12 Guyanese who were mercilessly killed at the hands of a criminal gang on February 17, 2008.
Under the theme, “More than a memory, preserving the past, preparing the future,” Barticans today will march through the streets of Bartica before they assemble at the Monument of Hope.

This year marks 10 years since the Bartica Massacre plunged the country into a state of despair. Mayor of Bartica, Gifford Marshall, said the memorial service which is being organised by the Bartica Mayor and Town Council, is expected to see participation from the schools, non-governmental organisatons, the security forces, religious community and other agencies within the township.

Last Thursday, Manager of Scotia Bank Bartica, Carlos Prowell, presented the mayor with a musical rendition composed and produced in Bartica, in honour of those who lost their lives. The 100 CDs will be distributed free of cost today.

The “Walk for Peace” will commence at 6am, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Monument of Hope. In 2016, two of the gang members responsible for the mass killing – Clebert Reece and Michael Caesar — were sentenced to 420 and 1080 years in jail respectively. In February 2017 two more gang members, Mark Royden Williams and Dennis Williams were sentenced to death by hanging.

Those who lost their lives were Bartica residents Edwin Gilkes, Dexter Adrian and Irving Ferreira; policemen stationed at the Bartica Police Station, Lance Corporal Zaheer Zakir, Constables Shane Fredericks and Ron Osborne; Deonarine Singh of Wakenaam; Ronald Gomes of Kuru Kururu; Ashraf Khan of Middlesex, Essequibo; Abdool Yasseen, Errol Thomas of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo and Baldeo Singh of Montrose, East Coast Demerara.

In keeping with his promise, President Granger has already launched a Commission of Inquiry into the Lindo Creek Massacre, which occurred on June 21, 2008. The commission has already commenced its work.

President Granger said while there were approximately eight massacres during the period of the “Troubles,” the investigation into the Lindo Creek Massacre is critical in exposing the intellectual authors behind the criminal network that had wreaked havoc under the Bharrat Jagdeo administration.