Beepat calls out Police for harassment, favouritism and unethical demands

Chairman of the Giftland Group, Roy Beepat believes he is being targeted and to an extent harassed by the Guyana Police Force and other regulatory agencies.
He noted that based on his assessment, the administering of punishments and enforcing the law are made based on racial prejudice, corruption, or political favouritism.
Beepat explained that the law enforcement body, specifically the new Sergeant and Commander of the Turkeyen Police Station continue to target the Giftland Mall. He stated that the mall and its concession holders have faced numerous attacks and wish for these actions to cease forthwith.
As such, he has called on Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn to intervene in the matter and to ensure equal treatment for all Guyanese businesses.
In detailing the Police harassment, the businessman highlighted that on Saturday last, the mall was stormed by ranks attached to the Turkeyen Police Station.
He explained that officers visited the mall at about 21:00h and made unethical requests which were not entertained by the mall’s staff.
As such, ranks arrested staff members from three restaurants. These restaurants included the Temp Restaurant, the Boardroom and Level Restaurant, which Beepat posited were not in breach of the COVID-19 regulations.
He added that these actions of the Police Force show the abuse of power by the officers since the time the staff members were arrested was earlier than that of the stipulated curfew.

Additionally, Beepat recalled that back in December 2020, on Christmas Eve Day, Police had closed the public access road leading to the Giftland Mall at 21:30h. Due to the closure of the road, many shoppers who were at the mall were stranded.
He pointed out that on the same night, a fete which was publicly advertised and clearly defied the COVID-19 guidelines was in full swing without interruptions.
Beepat reiterated that actions like these show favouritism and the Force’s inability to administer the law uniformly.
He added that many hotels and nightclubs in and around Georgetown continue to freely operate even when they are in breach of the National Task Force protocols.
Moreover, he further stated that the Giftland Group understands the duty of the Police Force and its power but will not accept vindictive and predatory Police actions.
“These selective enforcement actions, and now unethical behaviour by members of the Force, continue to highlight the basic needs for the improvement of the Police profession in this country.”
He noted that the mall has no objections to curfews or regulations, once they are fairly applied and enforced across the board.
Meanwhile, the Chairman noted that they have reported the unfair and unethical treatment to the authorities and business organisations.