By Gaulbert Sutherland
Relatives of missing boy, Ricky Jainarine yesterday called for justice during a protest in front of the Leonora Magistrate’s Court even as it was revealed that tests on paint samples – which would establish whether a Coast Guard vessel was involved in the fateful collision – are yet to be done.
Frustrated at the pace of police investigations, Ricky’s mother, Salimoon Rahaman, along with several others protested in front of the court, located next door to Police Divisional Headquarters at Leonora. “We want justice. We want to know where is the `lil boy and how Jainarine (Dinanauth) get murder”, Rahaman said. Ricky’s father, Jainarine Dinanauth, 45, and a family friend, Henry Gibson, 45, died in the August 11 incident. That evening, the three were heading to Hog Island in the Essequibo River. The bodies of the two men were discovered in the shattered boat the next morning but there was no sign of Ricky. Since then, a relentless search by Rahaman failed to yield any sign of the lad.
Relatives and supporters have criticized the pace of police investigations and Gibson’s wife, Lilawattie Persaud; two of Dinanauth’s sisters, as well as a few supporters participated in yesterday’s protest which lasted for over three hours. They have not heard anything new regarding the investigations, Rahaman said.
Meantime, police indicated yesterday that tests on paint samples, taken from a Coast Guard vessel believed to have been involved in the boat collision are on hold. Crime Chief Seelall Persaud told Stabroek News that the Force has acquired a new piece of equipment that would allow for a more comprehensive analysis of the samples. He said that as of now, testing of the samples is on hold until the equipment is installed. The Crime Chief said this would be done in another month’s time and a short training on its use would have to be undertaken.
Rahaman and other members of the public believe that Coast Guard ranks were involved in the incident and had murdered the men. Their suspicions were heightened after three Coast Guard ranks were charged with killing Bartica gold dealer, Dweive Kant Ramdass in the Essequibo River. The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) investigated but said this was “inconclusive” though the Force’s Board of Inquiry found that the Coast Guard vessel –RC12, was in the Essequibo River at the time that Dinanauth and the two others were in the river.
Relatives have also pointed to the fact that the other boat involved in the incident did not contact the authorities following the incident. Suspicious too was the fact that items Dinanauth had on his person were missing though his licensed firearm was left in his pocket. He had just returned from the interior, where he mined and reportedly had some raw gold on his person along with over $500,000 and a gold watch, all of which was missing when his body was found. He also had a bag that has not been found.
The autopsy results had shown that both men had died of asphyxiation due to drowning but that there was also blunt trauma to the head, chest and stomach. It was postulated that the men could have been beaten and their heads held under water. This also seemed likely as the bodies were found in the shattered boat and not in the water.
Additionally, an investigation by the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) had found blue paint on the green Coast Guard vessel. And there were green paint marks on the blue and white boat that the trio was in. Persons had also reported that in the days following August 11, the Coast Guard boat was dry-docked for three days and there were reports that a section had been painted over. The blue paint samples from the Coast Guard boat were handed over to the police for testing.
Obstacles
Meantime, as relatives seek answers, they have had to contend with some obstacles. Rahaman, who has returned to farming to earn her livelihood, says that finding transportation for her produce to the market is hard and she wants the engine from the shattered boat to be returned to her.
Last week, she visited the office of Commissioner of Police, Henry Greene but was unable to have an audience with him. Instead, she said, she spoke with a female officer and was told that the engine would be released. She was directed to an officer at the Leonora Police Station, who asked that she grant him four hours. Rahaman said that when she went to the Parika Police Station the next day, Wednesday, she was told that the engine would not be released. Upon contacting the officer at Leonora, she was asked to wait until Friday.
The woman said that when she contacted the official then, he promised to return a call but did not. She contacted him again yesterday and up to late afternoon, was awaiting a call. She related that the official said that he would have to speak with the Commander about releasing the engine. “I explain to him, it’s difficult to bring out produce from the river…sometimes it spoil”, she said stating that to hire a boat would cost about $12,000 to $15, 000 and this is expensive.
The family has set up an account for donations and hopes to be able to offer a reward for information.
The bank account number is 84256348962 and the bank’s address is 801 O’Connor Drive East York, Ontario M4B-2S7.
Relatives advised Stabroek News via correspondence that persons making donations in Canada should use the Swift Code TDOMCATTTOR; Institution Number 004; Branch Number: 05752;
Persons donating from the US should use the Swift Code: BOFAUS3NXXX; Institution Number: 004 Bank of America US Funds.
