John Adams, the Aishalton teacher who was allegedly slapped by a presidential guard after he criticised President Donald Ramotar and his government during a village meeting, is angry and disappointed at the dismissal of his claims by Head of the Presidential Guard Rohan Singh, who has said the incident was fabricated.
“I felt so disappointed but got so mad when I read it because he is covering up for his people. That man did slap me. Why is he trying to fool the people?” Adams questioned yesterday.
Adams informed that he read a letter from Singh in which he stated that the assault never occurred and that also claimed that Adams was drunk.
In the letter, Singh said that when interviewed the officer and ranks denied having any knowledge of Adams’ allegations and only that they moved closer to an individual in the crowd who appeared drunk.
“When interviewed the Officer and ranks denied having any knowledge of the allegations made by teacher Adams. They did admit however, there was one individual who appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, had a beer bottle in his hand and was shouting questions at the President,” Singh wrote.
“Noticing the individual’s demeanor and the fact that he was armed with a potential missile, two ranks positioned themselves closer to him,” he added. He also said his ranks felt Adams was more of a nuisance than a threat and saw no need for verbal or physical intervention.
Adams refuted the assertion that he was drunk and he said that all that Singh did in his letter was turn a blind eye to his assault.
He believes that the investigation has gone cold as he is yet to hear from the police on any progress. He remained doubtful that much will come of his allegations.
“I was expecting to hear if the file was sent to the DPP for advice [or] if anyone was questioned or being disciplined, something. But nothing. After the detective took my statement, I have not heard any other thing on it,” he said.
He maintained that he was victimised for being vocal. “This is probably the first time they heard an Amerindian person being so vocal and knowing the facts and what should be but I want to let them know these are changing times and there is more to come,” he added.
On December 3rd, Adams had reported that as he was making his way through the crowd after saying his piece at the meeting, he felt a hand collar him from behind and when he swung around, he saw that it was one of the president’s guards.
“The man ask me, ‘Weh de other two that went with you?’ And I told him I don’t know what he talking about, it was just me.
The man said I lying and as I continued to explain to him that it was just me speaking my mind, he hand me one slap to the left side of my jaw,” he recalled.
“The slap numb my face and like I get dizzy because I can’t tell you how many other slaps I got after that if it was one or two or five… I start begging… I say, ‘Boss what wrong with you? Boss, ow boss,’ but he tell me I disrespectful,” Adams added.
The man said after the assault he ran home, escaping through the crowd and used his motorcycle to go to the police station to lodge a complaint. However, when he got there no one was there.
He believed he was targeted because he was outspoken about issues affecting residents in the community.
However Singh in his letter criticised Stabroek News’ report on Adams’ allegation, saying it was for sensational purposes.
He said too that Adams was an A Partnership for National Unity activist and that he was too drunk to remember who assaulted him—if indeed he was.
