Essequibo rice farmers’ group head, secretary slapped with more charges

Chairman of the Essequibo Paddy Farmers’ Associa-tion and the body’s secretary were yesterday slapped with additional charges when appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Charity Magistrate’s Court.

The men, Naith Ram and Taij Persaud Seecharan, were among those who were charged on Tuesday last with riotous behaviour after they had staged a protest and later burned tyres and blocked the Land of Plenty Public Road.

The police say that on July 4 at Land of Plenty, Ram intentionally exposed his genitals. They further alleged that he unlawfully assaulted Jezel John, a police officer, on the same date. Ram, who is 53 years old, was represented by Hemraj Rajkumar and pleaded not guilty to both charges.

In his application for reasonable bail, Rajkumar said that his client is not a flight risk and will attend his trial. Ram was granted self-bail on the assault charge and $30,000 bail on the indecent exposure charge.

Meanwhile, Seecharan was charged with unlawfully assaulting Taleshwar Singh. He was also represented by Rajkumar and pleaded not guilty.

Seecharan told the magistrate, “me en even know who name so, Sir.” Rajkumar told the court that his 54-year-old client is a pastor and a rice farmer and is not a flight risk.

Magistrate Scarce granted Seecharan bail in the sum of $10,000.

Both men were ordered to return to court on August 5 when their trials will commence.