I dedicate this column to Faiyaz Narinedatt whose lifeless body was discovered on the parapet of No 70 Village, Corentyne, Berbice. I understand that this young man used to visit and stay at our home not too far from the aforesaid village when one of my brothers and his family visited Guyana.
I was not in Guyana when this happened. I do remember, however, this young man on my visit to Guyana in 2009 through his father, Jaffer, whom I know fairly well. Jaffer picked us up at the airport and drove us to our Corentyne home on many occasions. Two years ago he stopped in at our home and from our conversation I gathered that he is now employed with the government. Jaffer is a decent and hard-working father, husband and a community-oriented person. My sincere condolence to him and his family in these difficult times.
Like so many, when I read in the dailies about the discovery of a dead young man in a village not too far from where I was born and raised, I was sceptical. I have never heard of anyone being hit by a vehicle and left to die on the roadside especially at night when traffic generally slows down after nine o’clock at night. This is not the spirit of village life.
Whenever an accident happens, villagers from near and afar will rush to the scene, irrespective to what time it is, be it 10:00 or 22:00h. It seems strange therefore that no one was at the scene when the supposed accident occurred, causing the death of the young carpenter.
Personally speaking, when I read the news about Narinedatt, I thought of writing a letter to the dailies asking Minister Khemraj Ramjattan to look into this matter since he is very familiar with the village through his good friend “Feather” from the same village now living in Canada. I understand that did actually happen which led to more intensive investigation and interrogation and the subsequent arrest/charge of a number of individuals.
Had not been for a deeper investigation from Georgetown this crime would have been chalked up as a cold case like so many others.
It is common knowledge that Corriverton Police Station and the Court House are the most corrupt government institutions at Corriverton. Bribery is common culture there and I am moved by some reports that the investigation is probing deeper into the role of some Police in Narinedatt’s demise. This is a step in the right direction.
The central question here is why did a young man die at what appeared to be a celebratory occasion sponsored by a celebratory individual. Murders do happen in these rural villages which are now intermixed with and influenced by US mores and mediocrity. I have seen overseas Guyanese having a field day in these villages, including paying for sexual intercourse and paying off the Police.
The ongoing crime wave sweeping through the country does not contradict but complement the notion that murders are no longer surprising events in these once peaceful villages. Some crimes are not necessarily home-grown and foreign induced elements in crime cannot be blamed solely on drugs and deportees.
My conversations with a few individuals in and out of Guyana parallel the reports in the dailies that Narinedatt died because he resisted sexual advances allegedly from a well-known overseas-based Guyanese who visits the village regularly. I understand this individual has enormous influence and power in the village as well as over some ranks at the Corriverton Police Station. His parties are extravagant and his financial promises regarding development are irresistible. These “philanthropic” behaviours have now become irascible, certainly from Narinedatt’s family who is pressing for justice.
One is forced to ask these questions: Where do we go from here? Where are the activists? Have they suddenly gone with the wind, whistling elsewhere? Are they too distant from the crime that they have become geographically centric? Does it really take a team from Georgetown to solve a crime in rural areas? Where is the crime solving vision from this new regime? What happened to the billions of dollars poured into fighting crime? When will uncontrolled alcohol consumption cease to be central to parties?
My purpose here is not to be the mouthpiece for the jury and judge but to say something for the powerless and those arrested should face the courts so that their fate can be determined accordingly, including the mastermind behind this murder.
The news from Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum that efforts are under way to at least speak with the suspect is most welcoming. If anything at all, this case will reveal the nature and journey of jurisprudence in Guyana. Will Narinedatt’s family have their day in court? Will the perpetrators of this heinous crime be punished to the fullest extent of the law, including the alleged mastermind?
Thousands are watching and waiting, including myself, as to what will become of the senseless murder of Faiyaz Narinedatt. May God bless his soul. (Send comments to: [email protected]).
