An Overseer attached to the Johns/Port Mourant Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) appeared at the Whim Magistrate’s Court on Thursday for allegedly assaulting Guyana Times Berbice correspondent.
Boodmattie Ramnarine, 48, allegedly assaulted Andrew Carmichael, a Guyana
Boodmattie Ramnarine
Times and TVG reporter causing actual bodily harm on August 15 last, at the Port Mourant/Johns NDC office.
The mother of one appeared before Magistrate Charlyn Artiga and pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Ramnarine, who was unrepresented, indicated to Magistrate Artiga that she would be retaining the services of an attorney before March 13 when the matter comes up again for trial.
Meanwhile, at a Regional Democratic Council (RDC) meeting held in the RDC’s boardroom at Vrymens Erven, New Amsterdam on Thursday, the assault issue was raised by Councillor Zaman Husain, who questioned why the RDC had not investigated the allegations.
In response, Deputy Regional Executive Officer (REO) Claude Henry told the RDC that the matter was not formally reported to the RDC. He also questioned why the reporter was proceeding with the matter in the court after almost six months have passed.
However, in November last year, Husain had raised the issue at an RDC meeting and the REO, Kim Williams-Stephen said she was unaware of the report, but was informed that a formal complaint was made to the previous REO, Dr Veerasammy Ramayya in writing. The REO on that occasion had promised to investigate the report.
At the following meeting in December, the issue was again raised and the REO had promised again to take action. It had been reported that the Overseer of the Johns/Port Mourant NDC had choked the Guyana Times reporter and assaulted a fish vendor of the Port Mourant Market.
This was following a protest by the vendors over individuals selling on Friday evenings at the market, which they claimed was affecting their business. It had also been reported that the vendors after taking to the streets and getting no response from the NDC, had gone to meet with the Overseer.
Reporters were on hand covering the proceedings. During the visit to the NDC office by the vendors, the Overseer physically attacked one of the vendors.
The reporter was reportedly video-recording the attack on the helpless vendor when he was attacked and allegedly choked by the Overseer.
Meanwhile, the comments at the RDC on Thursday seem to suggest that Carmichael, who has been covering RDC meetings in that region for more than 15 years, would not be getting any redress from the highest decision-making body there.
