Video of police beating at Marudi sparks outrage

A video of a police rank beating at least three men trying to protect a woman and her child who were protesting a Guyana Geology and Mines Commission operation in Region Nine recently has evoked outrage.

The video surfaced on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSCJuyWo4yM) and a group of police and GGMC Mines officers could be seen standing around as the rank beat the men. The child was lying on top of his mother who was lying on the ground as the two other men used their bodies in an attempt to protect them from the blows. The policeman used a stick to inflict the blows.

Police Commissioner (ag) Leroy Brumell today told Stabroek News that he has asked the police commander in the area for a full report and a probe has been ordered.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment had announced ‘Operation El Dorado’ last week to ensure adequate monitoring, compliance and enforcement of regulations in all mining districts. Marudi was one of the areas targeted.