Latest update November 29th, 2024 1:00 AM
Linden Inquiry … Four of five commissioners sworn in
From left, former Judge Claudette Singh, Justice Lensley Wolfe, President Donald Ramotar, Ms. Dana Seetahal S.C and Mr. K.D. Knight S.C.
Four of the five members of the Commission of Inquiry into the July 18 shootings in Linden which left three persons dead were sworn in yesterday before President Donald Ramotar.
Justice Lensley Wolfe O.J., Mr. K.D. Knight S.C and Ms. Dana Seetahal S.C along with Guyana’s former Court of Appeal Judge, Claudette Singh, CCH, yesterday pledged their integrity to the commission. Former Chancellor of the Judiciary and the current Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority Cecil Kennard was absent from the ceremony.
The Head of State expressed his gratitude to Caricom for the interest shown in the commission. He said that he hoped the findings of the commission could be known very speedily so that the speculation could end.
This newspaper was told that Kennard is currently on annual leave and will return in mid-September. Attorney General Anil Nandlall informed Kaieteur News that works in the commission will begin sitting within the next 14 days. He said that Justice Wolfe will be the Chairman.
Nandlall said that the commissioners proceeded to the secretariat for a meeting to familiarise themselves with the location. He said that based on the agenda, they will be engaging in discussions regarding the procedures that they would adopt.
Once the commission is at its full complement (with the swearing of Justice Kennard) the members will proceed with the task at hand. They will be sitting in the upper flat of the Supreme Court, but it was noted that this is subject to change.
Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, had disclosed that some $80M has been budgeted for the inquiry which is expected to last 30 days. Luncheon further stated that authorities would use the next several days to call on witnesses to appear before the commission.
In August, the Government and the Opposition came to an agreement on a foreign component being added to the Commission of Inquiry into the Linden protest killing. On July 18, 24-year-old Shemroy Bouyea, 46-year-old Allan Lewis, and 17-year-old Ron Somerset were killed on the first day of a planned-five day protest by Lindeners.
The deaths stretched the protest for a month, as Lindeners pressed for a full investigation and opposition parties called for an international inquiry.
On August 21, Government and the Opposition finally signed an agreement paving the way for the beginning of a Commission of Inquiry into the unrest. The signing also saw the mining town returning to normality.
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