Cops criticised for response to eyewitness lead

Salimoon Rahaman, the woman who is still searching for her 10-year-old son after the Essequibo River boat accident several weeks ago, says that she is not satisfied with the police investigation, noting that she had informed them of an eyewitness but was told she would have to get the man to come forward.

Ricky Jainarine

Her older son continued the search for 10-year-old Ricky Jainarine yesterday, venturing up the Essequibo River. The boy has been missing since the August 11 boat incident, which left his father Jainarine Dinanauth and his neighbour Henry Gibson both dead. Dinanauth was Rahaman’s common-law husband.

Since the incident, relatives and others members of the public had alleged that Coast Guard ranks were involved in the incident, noting that the soldiers’ boat had been dry-docked for three days afterwards. The army had strongly denied the claims.

But an investigation by the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) found blue paint on the Coast Guard vessel, which is suspected to be involved in the Hog Island accident. Police are doing some tests to determine the origin of the pain.

Following the incident, there had been reports that persons had seen what had occurred on the evening of August 11. Rahaman said that one man, who reportedly said that he had seen the incident, was identified. But he was afraid to come forward to law enforcement officials. Rahaman said that she had told the police at Parika about the alleged eyewitness but “they said they can’t do nothing, I got to get the person to come forward.”

Jainarine Dinanauth

Meanwhile, as the woman and her close relatives continue the search for the missing Ricky, she said that she is not satisfied with the police and they should be assisting with the search.

Days after the incident, and shortly after the murder of Bartica gold dealer, Dweive Kant Ramdass — for which three Coast Guard ranks have since been charged — the police had assisted in the search. But it is only the family who do so now. Rahaman said that she feels that the police should still be helping. She said that all that she is being told is that investigations are continuing.

Pointing out the many clues that did not add up in relation to the incident such as the missing bag and empty pockets as well as the undamaged boat engine, Rahaman said that this is what the police should be looking at too.

The MARAD preliminary report into the boat mishap apart from confirming that the army Coast Guard vessel had blue paint on its hull, had recommended a forensic analysis to determine its origin. The shattered boat also had green paint – the shade that is used on the Coast Guard boat.

Henry Gibson

Since the accident, relatives had reported seeing green paint on the blue and white boat which the trio was in at the time of the collision, suggesting that it might have collided with a Coast Guard vessel or another green boat. After the collision, there was no sign of the other boat that was involved in the accident and no report that it had contacted the authorities.

Later, the police said that they were pursuing “green boat” leads and a suspect was arrested but released after a High Court filing.