Armed men shoot, damage drainage pump at Success Backlands

…escape with security’s gun

Armed men pounced on a security guard stationed at the Success Backlands, East Coast Demerara (ECD), disarmed him and shot at a drainage pump before escaping on a motorcycle.

Reports are the security guard was guarding pump operations at the Success Backlands, where persons are squatting on lands which belong to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). Based on information received, the incident occurred about 15:59h.
Guyana Times was told that the security personnel was guarding the pump when he was approached by two masked men brandishing cutlasses. The men kicked the security guard to the ground and place the cutlass to his neck while disarming him. They also relieved him of ammunition which he had in his pockets before shooting at the drainage pump, rendering it unserviceable. They then escaped on a motorcycle. The Police were immediately notified and gave chase. Unconfirmed reports are that while giving chase, Police Officers discharged a round in the direction of the suspects, but one of the bullets hit a civilian.
The incident occurred at the same location where lands occupied by squatters were flooded earlier on Wednesday. These persons have been asked to remove from the lands, as housing accommodations would be provided at another location. However, they have refused to do so under the pretext that the Success lands should be regularised. This specific plot of land is used by GuySuCo to cultivate sugar cane for the Enmore Estate. An investigation has been launched.