24th Meeting of Caribbean Commissioners opens tomorrow
…will address key issues of illegal firearms, drugs and violent crime
Georgetown, GINA, May 10, 2009
Illegal firearms, drugs and violent crimes are among key issues which will be discussed at the 24th Annual General Meeting and Conference for Caribbean Commissioners to be held in Guyana from May 11 through 15 at the Pegasus Hotel, Kingston.
This is according to Commissioner of Police Henry Greene during a recent programme at the National Communications Network (NCN) where he stated that significant focus will be placed on forensics during the conference since this is needed to link persons to crimes as the human element is often not helpful and supportive during an investigation.
He stated that a lot of work in this area is also being covered by CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security of which the Commissioners are a part. The meeting will also aid in developing a regional ballistics capability to deal with evidence such as bullets and spent shells.
Commissioner Greene said that Guyana’s situation with regards to narcotics is unique to other Caribbean states as Guyana is used as a transshipment point for bordering countries such as Suriname, Brazil, Venezuela and other Latin American countries.
The current global economic environment and its impact on social and economic development, reducing gang violence, training and the crime stoppers initiative are also on the agenda for the conference.
Assistant Commissioner Paul Slowe said these areas will be discussed by experts after which there will be an interactive session. He noted that this is an opportunity for Guyana to showcase its managerial skills and will allow for implementation of various security measures that will make the country safer as modern security equipment will also be showcased.
Assistant Commissioner, Krishna Lakeraj said, that one of his expectations from the conference is that the sessions will enable the local police force to find more solutions to crimes.
Commissioner Greene also said that the conference is a plus for Guyana since previously persons were afraid of visiting the country but are now willing do so. He added that the conference had garnered reasonable support from the business community.
This is the second meeting of the top law enforcement officers in Guyana since the Association of Caribbean Commissioners was formed 22 years ago.
Delegates at the conference include 18 Commissioners and four representatives of commissioners and among the activities to be held during the conference are the Presidential reception on May 14 and a programme for the spouses of the Commissioners.
Each state is also expected to provide a report which outlines difficulties being faced and those will be discussed.
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Joint Services destroy seven acres of marijuana at Hauraruni Creek
-operation to be carried out countrywide shortly
Georgetown, GINA, May 10, 2009
The Joint Services today located and destroyed seven cannabis fields at Hauraruni Creek in the Demerara River in an exercise that was undertaken following operation consolidation between the armed forces.
Members of the Joint Services destroy marijuana plants on one of the farms
According to the Joint Services through reconnaissance exercises which included air surveillance done in the area and local knowledge, the decision was made to raid the area in search of cannabis fields. Seven fields which totaled about seven acres were discovered.
The Government information Agency (GINA) was on hand to witness the destruction of the fields which consisted of 10,000 cannabis plants that were eight to nine feet in height.
A section of one of the marijuana fields
The Joint Services also destroyed about 1600 dried cannabis plants and 1500 seedlings (new plants). A camp was also discovered and demolished during the raid.
An unoccupied house was discovered in the vicinity of one of the farms. However, no one was arrested in today’s raid.
Similar operations across the country will be conducted in the near future.
Members of the Joint Services destroy marijuana fields at Hauraruni Creek in the Demerara River. (GINA, Curtis Setal photo)
On May 9 during another raid carried out by the police at Nabacalis and Golden Grove, ten kilogrammes of marijuana was found in an abandoned house.
During the raid five houses, two of which were abandoned, were searched. The Police said that no one was arrested in the raids.
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Indian culture belongs to all Guyanese – President
...at IAC Mela
Georgetown, GINA, May 10, 2009
“Guyana is better off because the cultural forms of all the groups that came here have been preserved and embraced over the years. The Indian culture…is an integral part of Guyanese culture. It belongs to every Guyanese, all races and religions. It does not only belong to Indians.”
This is according to President Bharrat Jagdeo who addressed the huge gathering at the Indian Arrival Committee mela on May 10 at the National Park.
He said the Indians have done a wonderful job in creating and raising awareness of their ancestors and what they brought to Guyana and the struggle that they endured to make the country into a better place.
President Bharrat Jagdeo addressing the gathering at the IAC mela at the National Park
President Jagdeo also reflected on the era during which there was a significant debate about what is authentic Guyanese culture when policy makers tried to fashion a culture that they thought was appropriate for Guyana. That debate was however resisted through resilience and a strong focus on the preservation of the rich Indian culture.
This, he said, is not acceptable since “policy makers…governments should not alter people’s culture and we have demonstrated today that you can have a mosaic culture which is more sustainable in the long run than the ‘melting pot’ culture that was propagated some time ago.”
President Bharrat Jagdeo seated among the crowd at the IAC mela at the National Park
According to the President this debate continues today in many of the so-called civilized jurisdictions of the world. He referred to France which is attempting to promote a ‘melting pot’ culture so Muslim children will not be allowed to attend school wearing a head scarf. “They said it was anti-French culture and they passed a law against it saying that it is illegal. These are the so called civilized jurisdictions of the world,” he said.
“Indians have bought with them tremendous traits outside of their pro-creativity to be pioneering and enterprising for hard work. They have brought to this land a great culture of tolerance which is important in our society. It is something we can share when we celebrate these events,” the President said.
A section of the gathering at the IAC mela at the National Park
He added that during such events Guyanese can appreciate not only the deeper significance of the struggles of their ancestors but also the current struggle that is waged today in the country to improve the economic lifestyle and well being of its people.
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President Jagdeo concerned over spate of domestic violence
Georgetown, GINA, May 10, 2009
President Bharrat Jagdeo while addressing the gathering today at the Indian Arrival Committee’s Mela expressed concern over the number of cases of domestic violence.
He said that religious leaders have a much more important role to play since it is not just about administering to the spiritual needs of people but also to the lifestyle needs.
President Jagdeo noted that women should be revered in the family and society.
The president also expressed concern about the number of suicides committed by persons of Indian descent particularly Hindus. He said that many did not do it out of economic circumstances nor hardships but family problems and other difficulties.
The President stated that this needs to be analyzed. He said there is a support network and urged persons to give a willing shoulder to others in difficult times.
The neglected children has also caught the attention of the Head of State and explained that their ancestors had come to create a better life for themselves and family.
President Jagdeo said that events such as this allow persons to be proud of their ancestors, what they are, what they have become and the freedoms that are enjoyed in the country today. He urged that these freedoms not be taken for granted and they should use their resilience and strength to survive the tough journey ahead; the same that was used by the early ancestors to surpass the hardships on the plantations.
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