Ramjattan backs guns and ammunition for piracy prone fishermen

Jun 29, 2015 News

During his recent maiden address to the National Assembly as Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan told the House of the plight of local fishermen and indicated that he is looking to have the government fund a project that will foster a sense of security among those at risk of piracy.
Ramjattan told the House that Guyana’s fisher folk have been attacked constantly and noted that many have been thrown overboard while others were brutally murdered “and the mayhem continues.”
The Minister told his colleagues that he recently journeyed to the Corentyne where he spoke to some fisher folk and got some suggestions with regard to workable measures to be put in place for their protection at sea.
He said that following preliminary consultations on the Corentyne, he decided that as a short term remedy, it would be required that Fishermen be given some arms and ammunition when they go out on their fishing trips.
The Minister noted that those who will be given such will be required to return the weapons to the police station from which they were uplifted.

Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan

“At least they will have a capacity to defend themselves in the open seas.”
Ramjattan told the House that some fishermen have already indicated that such provisions might be a little “too dangerous” for them while others indicated that they will prefer “at least not to be thrown overboard, that is to put up a fight.”
“And so to that extent we will have to realize the policy to get the equipment for the fishermen so at least the piracy can be abated,” said Ramjattan.
Further, the Minister said that he is looking to also ensure that pieces of equipment that can show the relevant authorities the position of boats in times of crisis be installed on all fishing vessels.
“It will cost some money and some of them (fishermen) did say that that it will cost some money but I had to make the argument to them that it is important that to save lives you spend some money on hand sets and positioning equipment,” said Ramjattan.
He explained that with such equipment positioned on all boats, if there is trouble and 911 is alerted, there can be quick response from the Coastguard or other police branches and ranks can “do some hot pursuit.”
Another measure of protection for Fishermen as outlined by the Minister is the registration of all boats “so that we can have a fair idea through that registration system as to who and who are the owners, who and who use them (the boats) and at what and what time.”
Ramjattan said, “We know for a fact that some of the pirates are our own Guyanese, in fact most of them are.”
However, the Minister told the National Assembly that all does not end there as he plans to continue to consult with fishermen across Guyana as well as the Fishermen Association “in the same way as we are going to consult with the communities that are targeted (in gun crime).”
Ramjattan said that he wants the ideas of as many of those who are or could be affected “as this is all part of the democratic process of coming up with the best solution to win this battle.”