Fine Man and Skinny silenced

Aug 29, 2008 Features / Columnists

The Parrot, like many others here in Guyana, is extremely happy over the expected demise of the notorious, heartless and merciless bandits, Rondell “Fine Man” Rawlins and Jermaine “Skinny” Charles. Sighs of relief were followed by accolades for those who were responsible for their deaths.

The men and women who relentlessly pursued them over the months must be commended for their valiant efforts. All Guyana stand proud.

Fineman, Skinny and others wreaked havoc in this beloved land in the early part of this year. Their actions during the two massacres instilled fear in the hearts of many and brought unimaginable pain to the families of those unsuspecting victims who were brutally slain in Lusignan and Bartica.

While the families in these two villages may try to seek some consolation from yesterday’s action, it cannot erase the cruel memories that were forced upon them.

Following these two heinous crimes, Guyana was plunged into mourning and the Joint Services into an uncompromising manhunt for the perpetrators.

The teams, despite the distraction from those who were quick to use the situation to castigate Guyana, stuck to their task. Yesterday confirms this.

There were calls, understandably so, in February for cancellation of Mashramani and some calling for the same for Carifesta X. Any government would have been in a quandary if faced with such a situation. The rush towards cancellation seems natural.

Government made the decision, I am sure not an easy one, not to cancel, and stuck by it. Anything different would have constituted a surrender to these ruthless criminals. Our country and our people, while dented, did not falter.

This is testimony to our resilience; a resilience that has been imparted on us by our forefathers who endured during colonial rule; a resilience that our President alluded to during those dark days in January and February this year.

The President provided the resources needed for the security forces and the motivation a nation needed in testing times. Our security men and women responded. Their subsequent long days and long nights were for our safety.

Their efforts ensured that we continued with life following Lusignan and Bartica. Their efforts ensured that the activities and dates for Mashramani and Carifesta X were kept.

Their efforts yesterday proved beyond a doubt that these hard working men and women did not only ensure that Carifesta X security arrangements were meticulously worked out, but that the security for the rest of the country was not compromised.

This is indeed heartening. The heads of the Joint Services did say prior to the commencement of Carifesta X that this mega event would not compromise the country’s security. They stuck to their guns.

The Parrot has only kudos, and encourages them to continue to remain focused and not to be distracted by those who chastise them for political gains.

You have put Fine Man and Skinny to rest. They lived by the guns and died by the guns. Sounds familiar? Good work guys! Squawk! Squawk!