Lusignan remembers the victims of 2008 massacre

Oct 14, 2012 News

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…as President Ramotar castigates political opposition

A large gathering at the Lusignan Mandir, East Coast Demerara, on Friday evening remembered the 11 persons from five families of the community who were brutally murdered during the 2008 massacre.
On the morning of Saturday, January 26, 2008 gunmen stormed into the small village and ruthlessly murdered the villagers, among them five children.
All were shot in their homes as gunmen believed to have been led by Rondell ‘Fineman’ Rawlins went on a killing spree.
President Donald Ramotar, who was in attendance at the Pitr Paksh function, a period set aside to honour the dead, stated, “The best homage we can pay to their memories is to ensure that this never happens again and, the best way to do that is for us to speak out; make our voices heard, reject division; let everyone know that we disapprove of this kind of behaviour.”

President Ramotar said that they were cut down in their prime, some not even reaching there as they were children. “That is why in remembering Lusignan five years ago, we must constantly learn to look for the fingerprint and modus operandi and reflect,” he said.
He added that there is always the tendency to blame someone else for these attacks as has currently been happening.
Speaking of events such as what occurred on Thursday at Agricola, he observed that members of the Political Opposition gave an ultimatum to Government and yet began protesting before the ultimatum was up. When the events at Agricola occurred,  the Opposition blamed Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon, he said.
“They are now trying to single him out, forgetting that Moses Nagamootoo and Nigel Hughes sat down at a press conference throwing threats against people and creating ultimatums in our society.
“We must beware of those who instead of bringing people together to move forward as one nation, try to create division because unity does not serve their purpose. Togetherness does not serve their purpose,” President Ramotar stated.
He also warned that opposition politicians try to use such events to create division and fulfill another kind of agenda.
“Nothing that the police or anyone has done, can justify what we saw Thursday – five hours when children, small babies, and old people had to stand on the highway. Many people were robbed on their way home. I want to reassure you we will work tirelessly to ensure law and order is upheld and respected in this country,” the Head of State declared.
He said that the event that occurred at Lusignan five years ago is one too significant to ever forget, stating that those who pulled the triggers were criminals who had no regard for life.
“But more important, are the intellectual authors of what occurred here; and many of them are still around,” he added. “They have their own diabolical thinking of how to achieve their ends. We have seen that playing out … time and time again. It is something we have to fight, until it is completely defeated.”
The President pointed to what he termed an ongoing and deliberate campaign to demonise the Police Force, and to attack them in every way to make them ineffective, that is why they are coming under so much pressure.
Admitting that Government is aware that the Police do make mistakes, he also acknowledged that they need training. However, “in some of the incidents we have a commission of inquiry.  You saw some of the incidents (Agricola) and I must admire the resilience and professionalism of our policemen when they were so provoked. They are provoking the police to do things then turn around and attack,” he stated.
The January 26, 2008 event which lasted about 20 minutes penetrated the quiet of the morning with heavy gunfire as the marauding gang mercilessly killed the 11 persons. The dead were: Clarence Thomas, 48; Vanessa Thomas, 12; Ron Thomas, 11; Mohandan Goordat, 32; Seegopaul Harilall, 10; Seegobin Harilall, 4; Dhanwajie Ramsingh, 52; Seecharran Rooplall, 56; Raywattie Ramsingh, 11; Shazam Mohammed, 22; and Shaleem Baksh, 52.
Several of the children who were murdered were found dead while still in their beds. Survivors of the attack are Arjune Bhim, and Roberto Thomas and Howard Thomas. The Thomases who sustained life-threatening gunshot wounds, have undergone successful recoveries.
Rondell “Fineman” Rawlins, who claimed responsibility for the murders, was initially wanted for the April 2006 assassination of Agriculture Minister Satyadeow Sawh. Rawlins’s girlfriend had vanished in January 2008 and Rawlins believed that his girlfriend was kidnapped by law enforcement officials in an effort to force him to turn himself in.
Rawlins telephoned the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), and warned them to turn over his girlfriend to him or face the consequences.
Rawlins was killed by the police on August 28, 2008, when they caught up with him at Kuru Kurukuru, Soesdyke-Linden highway.

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