Latest update November 21st, 2024 1:00 AM
Lewis queries police interest in him
…questions Greene’s motive for statement, “he had gone into hiding”
Lincoln Lewis
General Secretary of the Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL) and the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), Lincoln Lewis, by way of a letter to the Commissioner of Police (ag), Henry Greene, questioned the motive behind statements to the media that he, Lewis, had gone into hiding.
According to Lewis, he was questioning whether the motive of the statement was to create in the public mind doubts and suspicions of his conduct, which will give rise and support to the police putting out a wanted bulletin for him.
“In the Guyana scenario, when the Force issues wanted bulletins, it is ipso facto that that person is wanted dead or alive, and inevitably ends up dead.”
He also questioned why the Force would want an audience with him. “This is a very serious charge against me, and I call on you (Greene) to say publicly why the Force needs to talk with me when I have already made my position very clear as it relates to dealing with the police.”
Lewis further charged the Commissioner (ag) to release “all details of efforts made to contact me, including persons contacted prior to your public pronouncements.”
According to Lewis, while he had never publicly stated what his address was, the record was available at the local Immigration Office.
He added, too, that it is known that his official base of operation and contact in Guyana is at the office of the GTUC, Woolford Avenue Georgetown.
Lewis stated that, on checking with the staff at the GTUC, he was informed that no police visited, telephoned or any other way sought to either contact him or learn of his address.
He added that it was the same with the Caribbean Congress of Labour, Barbados Office, where he operates in the capacity of General Secretary.
Lewis said, “I am aware that, over time, the police have been following me, and more so at times the police divulged information on my entry and departure from Guyana, where I visit, the car I drive, and to whom it is registered…If the police have been so meticulous in having information about me, I am appalled that on this occasion the Force could not locate me.”
Lewis, on September 15 last, had described an attempt on his life. But the outspoken veteran trade unionist said that he will not be silenced, even if it meant risking his life.
Lewis made the comment at a hastily arranged press conference, in which he detailed what transpired at his home in Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara.
Lewis told members of the media that his home was visited by unsavoury characters, forcing him to flee for his safety.
He claimed that he had not reported the matter to the police as he feels that nothing significant will come out of their investigations, since according to him, the police may be acting in consort with the perpetrators.
“The phantom is the police and the police are phantoms. I am not going to go to them. What other course of action I will take is something that I will have to determine,” he said.
Among the courses to be taken are informing local, regional and international bodies, such as the United Nations, CARICOM, the various churches and the International Labour Organization.
Lewis said that he also plans to take the matter to the Human Rights Convention in Geneva, Switzerland next year.
“God ain’t ready yet to carry me to another place. I have unfinished business,” Lewis said.
He stopped short of accusing anyone.
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