Vigilante justice
In the face of a seemingly growing trend of vigilante justice in recent weeks, youth leader and former A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) parliamentarian, Attorney-at-Law James Bond is the latest to come out in strong condemnation of these acts, urging citizens not to take the law into their own hands.
Over the past two weeks, there have been several cases of vigilantism, particularly in cases where robberies were committed or suspected, which resulted in at least two deaths and serious injuries.
At least one suspected bandit was beaten by residents in North Ruimveldt and another in Charlotte Street, Georgetown, while 24-year-old Colin Perreira of Barr Street, Kitty, was shot dead and his friend, Gailann Chacon, 20, of Port Kaituma, North West District, Region One seriously injured, as they attempted to turn their car on the bridge of a Tucville businessman. The businessman claimed that he thought that he was going to be robbed by the young miner.
On Wednesday, Bond said this growing trend is frightening, as he singled out the Tuesday night incident involving Perreria which also saw his girlfriend sustaining severe injuries.
“I said ‘James, this could be you, because you could be driving’ and I was driving and taking one of my staff home at Lusignan (East Coast Demerara) and the same thing… I turned back at somebody’s gap, like the young man that died there last night (Tuesday), that could have been me,” Bond said.
The Attorney said while he understood persons may feel threatened and react spontaneously, they must allow the law to take its course.
“You cannot just take justice in your own hands and I think Guyanese at this stage need to understand that is wrong. If you apprehend someone and they are no threat to you, you must turn that person over to the Police absolutely. Do not beat, do not maim, do not injure, do not disfigure… much more you murder someone,” Bond advised.
The youth leader is pleading with citizens not to react in such a violent manner, as already lives have been lost.
“I want to advise and admonish all Guyanese, as an Attorney, as a law-abiding citizen, to desist from same. I know you may feel under threat; I know you may feel fearful for your lives and livelihoods, but at the end of the day, you may get it wrong,” Bond stated.
Last week, residents of North Ruimveldt, Georgetown captured two men who attempted to rob a barber of his jewellery after storming his home. The men were severely beaten and the Police were then summoned.
Then a few days later a man was severely beaten after attempting to snatch a chain at Bourda Market, Georgetown.
That was followed by the shooting death of a 20-year-old suspected bandit and a sound beating of his accomplice after they attempted to rob a Sara Johanna businessman.
There have been a number of other cases of vigilantism caused deaths over the years in Guyana, for which persons were charged and even convicted.
