Enmore landowners now accused of squatting

Co-op society

Over one dozen persons whose lands were reclaimed by a co-op society and later distributed to other individuals in Enmore North, East Coast Demerara, have been accused of squatting on the lands even though they have legal documentation for the lands.
The matter ensued over nine months ago when transport documents for the lands were unlawfully distributed to other persons in the community by the co-op secretary.
Since then, some persons retrieved their lands through intervention from the Social Protection Ministry. The co-op secretary was also fired during that encounter but she continued to hold a post in the co-op rankings.
At present, persons who did not retrieve their lands are being accused of squatting and a meeting is scheduled for today, where these matters would be highlighted.
The last meeting held between the co-op society and members of the community had erupted in a disagreement after the lands were not released to the rightful owners.
According to one resident, Champa Samuel, it is a new tactic on the part of the former secretary to ensure that their lands are not returned. In her situation, someone has already started the construction of a house on her property.
“Co-op secretary claiming that we come here and squat on the land and how the land didn’t have a house and that’s why she give transport to other people. That land belong to us. We have to go to a meeting with the document that we get for the land. She is not in the co-op society anymore. She was fired and she still coming back,” Samuel told this publication.
Former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall who had initially represented the disenfranchised residents had indicated that by law, it is wrongful for those actions to be committed. While the co-op is in a process of redistributing the land, they cannot merely give it to another member. When a person is deceased, the beneficiary of the deceased is supposed to be given the land.
Prior to her dismissal, the co-op secretary was ordered to cease all issuance of transport documents. However, many persons claimed that they hassled when they went to obtain their lands. Other residents complained that their documents were reportedly taken by the former co-op secretary, who is now refusing to return them.
Back in July, the homes of many persons were invaded and they were threatened to not return to the properties. One of the residents whose home was ransacked, Nadia Rambarran, told this publication that a person who was given her transport document stormed into the property and threw her belongings on the road. The items were later damaged by the rain.