A Region Six councillor and a Corentyne gas station owner were both charged with assault yesterday following a confrontation at Hogstye Village, Corentyne several weeks ago.
Azad Taki, 66, owner of A Taki Filling Station and Variety Store at Hogstye Village, appeared before Magistrate Renita Singh at the Whim Magistrate’s Court where he was charged with assault committed on Regional Councillor, Intikab Ali, 24, also of Hogstye Village.
Ali, who also appeared in court was charged with assault causing actual bodily harm committed on Taki.
Both men pleaded not guilty to their respective charges and were released on their own recognisance.
They will return to court on June 20 for reports.
On May 14, Taki had told Stabroek News that a contractor visited his gas station and purchased diesel and during a conversation stated that he was going to be levelling the road shoulders in the area.
Taki, a former APNU+AFC councillor at the Lancaster/Hogstye Neighbourhood Democratic Council, said that he questioned what would be done with the dirt removed and the contractor stated that he would be selling the dirt.
However, according to Taki, he observed that after the contractor went over to the main road and started to work, a truck arrived and “he start load the truck with the dirt right away.”
The businessman said that he went out and began having a conversation with the contractor explaining to him that they should first level the road and then the excess dirt could be removed.
However, at that point the contractor reportedly became verbally aggressive and summoned the Region Six councillor who resides in the area.
“I was talking to him (RDC Councillor) and when me go raise me hand to talk my hand touch his hand and he start punch me all in my head and in my neck… I get pain unto now. Me deh here icing it.”
Ali had claimed that during the heated exchange he was facing the contractor when he felt Taki hit him after which he defended himself.
Reports were filed at the Whim Police Station following the incident.
