The rise of crime coupled with feelings of fear that it will not subside during the most festive season of the year, whether in practice or perception, has certainly tumbleset this nation into unprecedented levels of uneasiness. In some ways, fear of crime is more damaging to the public than the actual act of crime. Who will be the next victim of crime is not predictable but the ever lurking feel of crime is. This feeling places enormous pressure on the human psyche, including the lack of rest and poor performance at the work place.
The reports, however, emanating from the dailies about the arrest and charge of seven individuals and a posting of a wanted bulletin by the Police and Interpol for the alleged mastermind in the murder of Faiyaz Narinedatt at No 70 village should provide a sigh of relief to the public that the Police Force has started to be more robust in solving some serious crime.
The Police must be commended for their work and the public must support the Police in solving this crime so that a message can be delivered that no one is above law, including those we trust to protect the public.
I am very much cognizant of the fact that there is much more to be done in order to have a more functional and trustworthy Police Force. One area that needs attention badly is the gap between the community and Police. Rural villagers, in particular, do not trust the Police and some Police ranks do not listen or list in their investigation what villagers have to offer in solving crimes. They are often dismissed as village crimes of passion, developed over a long period. Yet, tight-knit communities like along the Corentyne agricultural belt have more information about themselves than anyone else.
In this regard, the Police should be trained to be more culturally sensitive to communities they serve so that a friendly rather than a fractured and fragmented relationship between the Police and community can be fostered. This approach has worked well in the US and I think it can be a win-win situation in Guyana because it will not only build trust between community and Police but also reduce, prevent or even solve crime.
Interestingly, the murder of Faiyaz Narinedatt reminds me of another murder that occurred in this village in 2013 that went unceremoniously cold. The Police and community have different views as to why and who murdered a US-based medical doctor Max Kungel on the backlands at No 70 Village. The Police arrested a young man in this case who apparently committed suicide while in custody at No 51 Police Station. The case was then dropped like a hot potato.
Information provided to me while I was conducting research on a project unrelated to crime and criminality on the villages around No 70 suggested otherwise. May I ask Minister Khemraj Ramjattan to reopen this case given the alleged cover-up of Narinedatt’s murder from some ranks in the Police Force?
Meanwhile, I ask Marcus Brian Bisram, the alleged mastermind in the murder of Faiyaz Narinedatt to do the right thing, which is, get a lawyer and turn yourself in to the Police.
The longer you stay in hiding, the more damaging your case of defence will become. I know you are wise enough to know that this case will simply not vanish in thin air if you are not questioned about your role in the murder of Narinedatt. You have misjudged your power in Guyana.
Furthermore, too many resources have already been expended on trying to bring justice to an unjust act. In some ways, the judicial system is being murdered financially in trying to solve this crime. Guyana can surely use these resources elsewhere. I must commend the family of Narinedatt for standing firm on this case and for resisting millions of dollars to “duck” the story. My message to the family is this: justice will prevail, the nation is supporting you. Finally, and I repeat, Marcus Brian Bisram turn yourself in to the Police.
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