Sand Hill residents allegedly beaten by Toshao, 2nd village Captain

Two residents of Sand Hill, Berbice River in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) were reportedly beaten and injured by the Toshao and the second village Captain on Friday.

The two, who had visible marks on parts of their bodies, visited the Sand Hill Health Centre following the alleged incident and were subsequently taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital.
One of the victims, a 17-year-old Sand Hill resident told Guyana Times that the second village Captain approached him at a shop in the community and began lashing him without offering any explanation. “The man came and started to lash me up,” he related.
According to the teen, he had spent the previous night at his aunt’s home and returned the following morning. He said that when he saw the man approaching, he protested that he had done nothing wrong, but was nevertheless lashed. He claimed that he was left spitting blood.
The teenager further alleged that during the same incident, the Toshao joined in and slapped him several times.
Meanwhile, 48-year-old farmer Harlan Lindy said his alleged assault followed a dispute over money he claimed was still owed to him for work in a field. Lindy said he had worked for the second village Captain for approximately three months and had received $200,000 but maintained that additional money remained outstanding.
During the interview, however, he could not recall exactly how much more he claimed was owed. He admitted taking a small engine belonging to the second village Captain, explaining that he intended to hold it until the outstanding money was paid. Lindy also acknowledged that the engine was worth more than the amount he believed was still owed to him.
“I told them I got the engine until they gave me the money. I kept it there,” Lindy related.
He alleged that during the incident, the second village Captain struck him in the head with a piece of wood, causing him to fall. He claimed he was lashed about the body while on the ground and that the Toshao joined in the alleged assault. He said several persons, including members of his family, were present and witnessed what occurred.
Meanwhile, both victims were treated and sent away. They also made reports at the Central Police Station in New Amsterdam and were asked by police to return to the station on Monday.
Efforts to contact the Toshao and second village Captain of Sand Hill for a response to the allegations were unsuccessful up to press time.