Dear Editor,
The robbery and brutal murder of young gold dealer, Dweive Kant Ramdass, by three members of the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard has once again raised some serious concerns. When those who are paid to protect and serve citizens resort to committing serious crimes the entire nation should be in mourning as all of us are at risk.

Given this incident many are now reflecting on the Lindo Creek massacre and are reminded of Mr Arokium’s claims that the joint services might have been involved. The government has rebuffed every claim and detail advanced by Mr Arokium. Further, statements allegedly made by one of the army ranks seem to implicate the joint services in the Lindo Creek massacre. We have witnessed the Lusignan massacre, the Bartica massacre and the Lindo Creek massacre, so shouldn’t we be eager to get to the bottom of these matters? To lay all these killings at the feet of ‘Fineman’ and his squad, now all dead, will not remove the suspicion and will not wash away claims such as Mr Arokium’s.

Rather than claim that soldiers were not in the area at the time of the Lindo Creek slaughter, why not appoint a commission of distinguished citizens to conduct an independent inquiry into this matter. It would be in the interest of the nation for the government to reopen the investigations; with these new unfortunate circumstances every effort should be made to ensure that the joint services are cleared of involvement. Failing to initiate same can only lead to further claims and lack of trust in our security forces, as Guyanese confidence in these organizations will continue to diminish.  I also believe that every effort must be made to ascertain where certain ranks in the armed forces are taking their instructions from, since there seems to be some concern in this area.

My sincere condolences go out to the Ramdass family; may they find courage and strength in God’s unending love.
Yours faithfully,
Lurlene Nestor