Senior Govt official reportedly shuts down probe

Shooting of cattle

Following reports and the launch of an investigation into the shooting of close to one dozen cattle in the backlands along the Upper Corentyne, Berbice, a senior Government official has allegedly intervened and ordered the probe to be halted.
According to a senior police official in Berbice, the investigation has been shut down and the suspects have been released from custody.
This newspaper understands that Police were placing emphasis on the firearms used in the incident.
It had already been confirmed that two different firearms were used to shoot the animals.
Previous reports stated that more than one dozen cattle have been shot and killed in the backlands between Number 54 and 58 Villages, Corentyne, Berbice, in the wake of rice farmers complaining that animals have been destroying their crops.
Rice farmers have also recently reported that hundreds of acres of rice were being destroyed by cattle on the Corentyne. Both rice and cash crop farmers have been affected by the activities of cattle and other animals. They are contending that the cattle enter the fields at night.
Meanwhile, several cattle which were not in the cultivation area died after being fed bran mixed with cement.