Beating of civilians at Marudi…Probe to focus on failure of GGMC officer to intervene

Mar 06, 2013 News

An investigation into the beating of civilians at Marudi is to focus on the actions of a Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) officer who was present when the assault occurred.
The investigators are to query why the GGMC personnel failed to intervene when the civilians were being assaulted.
Kaieteur News understands that top officials from the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment as well as the Board of Directors of the GGMC met today and also viewed the footage of the incident.
“There is an investigation into why there was no intervention on the part of the GGMC officer who was present…the Ministry and the Board of Directors of the GGMC reviewed the footage…we were upset by what we saw,” a senior official said.
The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) has commenced an investigation into the beating of civilians by police ranks during an operation to curb illegal mining within Marudi, Region Nine.
Minister Robert Persaud had called for an emergency meeting of the Board of Directors for the GGMC in addition to requesting the assistance of the Commissioner of Police in investigating the allegation.
The Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners’ Association (GGDMA) has also been requested to provide support to the investigation. A release has stated that the Commission will be working closely with the Ministry of Home Affairs to investigate the confrontation.
Commissioner of Police Leroy Brumell has also ordered an investigation into the assault on the civilians.
The incident occurred on Saturday when police ranks accompanied officials from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to clear several illegal miners from the Marudi mining district.
A photograph published in last Sunday’s Kaieteur News showed a police corporal inflicting blows on civilians who were lying on the trail to protest their removal from the mining area.
An even more graphic video, posted on YouTube, shows the foul-mouthed policeman clubbing and dragging the civilians, while some of his colleagues, and other men in plainclothes, stood with guns at the ready.
The civilians are part of a group of miners who are protesting what they are calling their unlawful removal from a mining claim that is registered to a Canadian mining concern, Romanex Guyana Explorations Limited.
About 300 local miners have been operating about 22 dredges in the area for the past 10 years when the Canadian firm appeared to have neglected it.
Only last week the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment issued a statement indicating that it was reviewing the licence of Romanex Guyana Explorations Limited, after investigations revealed that the company failed to carry out exploratory works in keeping with its requirements.

Latest News

Beating of civilians at Marudi…Probe to focus on failure of GGMC officer to intervene

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Semi-Finals line up set for Maid Marian Wheat Up Women’s Cup 2024

Young Warriors Cricket Club fulfills its annual...

Chase’s Academic lift 2024 KFC Goodwill Int’l...

Remaining teams in the inaugural K&S/One...

Capital FC, Hi Stars, Silver Shattas win as...

Renuka, Mandhana consign West Indies to record...

Features/Columnists

This is our city

Breaking the Chains of Poverty: A need for political will

Jagdeo de GOAT

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Beating of civilians at Marudi…Probe to focus on failure of GGMC officer to intervene

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]