Latest update April 5th, 2025 5:50 AM
Latest News
- Exxon admits to operating above production rates in EIAs
- Oil sinks to pandemic lows; metals, soybeans slump as China retaliates against U.S. Tariffs
- Israel has turned two-thirds of Gaza into no-go zones, UN says
- ‘If the President’s award means anything, he would terminate Ramson’- Protestors
- Power China, Kalpataru sign US$422M contracts for extension of transmission lines for GPL
Father of teen shot by police during WCB protest at odds with police
– says he has not been allowed to see his son’s body
The parents of teenager, Devon Hansraj, who was shot dead by police ranks at Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice, during a chaotic protest are calling for justice to be served for the death of their son. Hemchand is calling for an inquiry into the death of his son who he claimed was innocently “murdered” by ranks of the Guyana Police Force on Friday.
Parents of Hansraj
The police, however, in a recent release have since alleged that Hansraj attacked the officers while they were executing their duties on the Cotton Tree Public Road. According to the police Hansraj allegedly launched an attack on the ranks, injuring several in the process before he was shot dead.
“Shortly before the attack, a Gazetted Officer and ranks cleared the said road of protesters and debris, leaving Sergeant Ibaran with several ranks to maintain free passage along the corridor. The ranks were then attacked by a group of men armed with cutlasses, pieces of wood and iron.
They were forced to discharge their weapons into the air to disperse the very hostile and aggressive crowd and after expending their ammunition the ranks including Sergeant Ibaran, Corporal Williams, Constable Grant, and Constable Fraser were forced to seek refuge in nearby yards.
During that process, it was alleged that one of the protesters who was later identified as Sewdat’ Devon’ Hansraj ,18, of Back Street Cotton Tree Village, WCB, chopped Sgt Ibaran and Constable Fraser,” the police said.
Devon Hansraj
The police disclosed that it was while Hansraj was allegedly attempting to deal Fraser another chop that he was “shot by one of the two ranks who arrived at the scene”.
Hansraj and the injured ranks (Sergeant Ibaran and Constable Fraser) along with Constable Grant who was reportedly assaulted by protesters were rushed to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital where Hansraj was pronounced dead on arrival. The police ranks were subsequently admitted to the medical institution.
Sergeant Ibaran sustained two fractured arms, lacerations to his head and abrasions to his back.
Meanwhile, the father of the dead teen, Hemraj Hansraj, has since denied that his son was among those protesting on the public road. He has also denied that his son attacked the police.
According to the man, his son left to join the protest Friday morning but ended up in an argument with a police rank. He stated that his teen son left the protest and returned home but later that day ventured out back “watching on at the protest” when he was reportedly shot by the police.
He further explained that he has not been allowed to view his son’s body at the New Amsterdam Hospital although he visited the night when he was taken there and yesterday. Hansraj was pumped with a single gunshot to his body, a senior police source said.
Hansraj said that he wants justice for his son and is calling on the authorities to have an inquiry into his death since he believes that his son was murdered by the police.
Another teen was also injured during the heated protest on Friday. Anuradha Sukra was admitted to the Fort Wellington Hospital with injuries after police also opened fire on her while she was walking through a street at Bush Lot Village, West Coast Berbice.
Another protest was held yesterday for the death of Hansraj. A candle light vigil is also expected to take place this evening.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
The One-Man Republic
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- There exists, tucked away on the margin of maps and minds, a country that has perfected... more
The U.S. “Joining” the Commonwealth: an unreasonable expectation
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- Recent media stories have suggested that King Charles III could “invite” the United... more
Weekend Cartoon
