Victims remembered at unveiling ceremony, interfaith service

Feb 18, 2009 News

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Bartica slaughter anniversary…

Barticans rose yesterday morning in a very solemn mood as they all commemorated the first anniversary of the massacre that left 13 persons dead, including three policemen.
To begin the day the ranks stationed at the Bartica Police Station held a bugle call for their slain colleagues, Lance Corporal 18632 Zaheer Zakir of Leonora Housing Scheme; Constable 16906 Shane Fredericks, 35, of Lot 241 Herstelling, East Bank Demerara; and Constable 19886 Ron Osborne, of 189 Robb Street, Georgetown.
The day started very quietly. Not many business places opened as usual; for residents it was a day of sad memories.

However, as scheduled on the stroke of 10:00 hours, Director of the Guyana Police Force Band, Cecil Bovell, commanded his band for the National Anthem as he acknowledged the arrival of Prime Minister Samuel Hinds.
Soon there was a large crowd gathered to lend support to those who had lost their loved ones on February 17 last year.
As the programme got underway, Officer-in-Charge of the Bartica Police Station, John Sauers, welcomed the gathering and other dignitaries who joined the event. The nearby Bartica Magistrate’s Court was adjourned, and Magistrate Fazil Azeez joined in the event which saw tributes to the fallen ranks.
Commander Sauers reminded his ranks not to become discouraged, but to stay focused on pursuing those elements who may want to perpetrate similar acts.
He further reminded residents that Bartica is not isolated in that the community is always on the security forces’ radar.
To the families of the slain ranks, Sauers reminded them that death is inevitable but it was indeed sad to see the way they had met their end. He noted that the ranks will forever be remembered by the force, as the event has been added to the calendar of events for the force.
Following his remarks, leaders from the three main religions offered words of prayer. The Muslim prayer was done by Lance Corporal Zaheer Zakir’s father.
Divisional Commander, Noland Hendricks, a Bartican, noted that the ranks who died at the Bartica Station were not the first to die on duty. He recalled that back in January 2, 1969, at the Lethem Police Station, six policemen were brutally gunned down.
“These are all men who loved their job and died in the line of duty. They will all be remembered as they will all make up the force’s history,” Hendricks said.
He too extended his condolences to the families of the civilians who had lost their lives, noting that it was no easy task to deal with such an incident.
Condolences were also expressed by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds. He asked of the families that they draw strength from the Superior Being.
Meanwhile at different intervals the Police Force band treated the gathering to musical renditions that included “If I can help somebody”, ‘To God be the glory’ and ‘Unforgettable’.
Regional Chairman, Holbert Knights, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, and two ranks who survived the massacre then went into the station compound where they unveiled a monument bearing the names of the slain ranks.
These ranks, Corporal 17313 Dodson and Woman Constable 16816 Henry, were the two who were in the building when the gunmen attacked, but had somehow managed to escape the ordeal unhurt.
Unveiling the monument apparently brought back terrible memories as both the ranks broke into tears as they slowly unveiled the monument. It was also a very emotional moment for their colleagues who consoled them once the monument had been unveiled.
Interfaith Service
Then followed the grand interfaith service which was held at the Transport and Harbours Ferry Stelling. That service got off to a prompt start at 14:00 hours.
Among those addressing the large gathering were Adviser to the President Gail Teixeira and Bishop Juan Edghill. Other dignitaries included Minister of Public Service Jennifer Westford, Carvil Duncan, Bishop Francis Alleyne and several other Members of Parliament.
There were songs from the Christian community led by Brother Pascal Jordan. This was followed by songs and prayers from the Muslim community and the Hindu community respectively.
On the occasion Bishop Juan Edghill called on the survivors and Barticans to take up the responsibility as they go about life and find a way to honour those who were killed.
“It is our responsibility now not to sit and ask what the police can do for us or what the country can do, but instead ask yourself what you can do to show that their lives weren’t taken in vain,” Edghill charged.
“I urge you not to look back at the negative but look forward in hope…despite the fact persons are trying now to refresh the scare with their criminal activities, I urge you to draw strength from what happened and prevent it from occurring again,”.
Ms Teixeira saluted the women close to the victims.
She alluded to the fact that all those who lost their lives were men who have left behind wives, daughters, sisters and mothers, who today have shown their strength by holding families together.
“I think women are so much stronger because in today’s society it’s our men we are losing, and yet the women manage to hold it together,” Texeira said.
She further reminded the gathering to lean away from any ethnic barrier since the incident was not in any way triggered by racial tension.
While the Bartica Massacre touched not only Barticans but several other communities, Bartica still managed to rise above the ordeal.
Before the service came to an end a family member of each victim was presented with a lighted candle in memory of the slain.
One year ago marauding gunmen stormed the Bartica Police station, killing Lance Corporal 18632 Zaheer Zakir of Leonora Housing Scheme, Constable 16906 Shane Fredericks, 35, of Lot 241 Herstelling, East Bank Demerara, and Constable 19886 Ron Osborne, of 189 Robb Street, Georgetown.
The other victims were taxi driver Dexter Adrian, 37, of 581 Constellation Street, Tucville, 72-year-old security guard employed at CB&R Mining Enterprise in First Avenue, Irving Ferreira; Abdool Yassin Jr., of Good Hope, East Coast Demerara, boat captain Deonarine Singh, 54, of Wakenaam, Errol Thomas of Tuschen and Ronald Gomes of Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke/Linden Highway, employees of Boodhoo’s General Store, Banks DIH security guard Edwin Gilkes, 42, of Bartica, Ashraf Alli Khan, 45 of Middlesex, Essequibo Coast, and another Banks DIH employee, Baldeo Singh, 54, of 153 Second Street, Montrose, East Coast Demerara.
Several other persons, including police constables Mark Campbell, 29, of One Mile, Linden, and Chester Benjamin, 28, of Goed Fortuin Housing Scheme, were also injured in the 60-minute rampage.
The others that were shot and injured are Raymond White, Godfrey Patanello, Brazilian national Jadarson Dos Santos, 14, Lisa Narine, 15, and Melrose Allicock of Bartica. Dos Santos was admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital while the others were treated and sent away.

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