TIMES
I ndo- Caribb ean
INSIDE:
Lusignan
Massacre
Storires on Page 1, 9, 19
and 21
Vol 2. No 2 February 2008
Sadness and anger at slaughter of 11 ethnic Indians in Guyana
Tragedy brings memories of Wismar massacre to Indo-Caribbeans in Canada
I
The sight of Indian children, men and women from the East Coast Demerara village of Lusignan slaughtered in their beds has brought back terrible memories of the 1964
Wismar massacre and several other coordinated onslaughts over the past 40 years that have caused hundreds of thousands of Indo-Guyanese to migrate to safer countries.
ndo-Caribbeans in Canada have reacted
with shock and anger at the January 26
massacre by mysterious gunmen of 11
poor Lusignan villagers, including five chil-
dren, There's also considerable bewilder-
ment at why such an event happened and
what it means.
Indo-Caribbean Times presents a special
report on the background to the murders in
Lusignan, and their impact on events in
Guyana. See page 19 and 21 for a report
on the massacre.
Victims Indian, killers African
The first thing to understand is that the
slaughtered villagers were all Indians from
an East Coast Demerara village known to
support the ruling Peoples Progressive
Party, which has as its political base the ma-
jority of Indo-Guyanese. The estimated
two dozen attackers all appeared to be
African, though neither the police nor the
media would say so.
The second is that Lusignan is not an en-
tirely unusual horror, but is one of a long
series of brutal attacks by Afro-Guyanese
on Indo-Guyanese going back over 40 years
to the 1960's The list includes the street
riots of 1964 which led to the African based
People's National Congress took political
power,and the Wismar massacre of the
same year, when 9 Indians were killed and
1600 driven out of their homes by huge
African mobs, plus more street riots and
banditry since the PPP's control of govern-
ment since 1992.
From 1964-1992 the majority of Indo-
Guyanese fled the country to escape racial
and political discrimination, and attacks by
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black criminal gangs.
The background to all these events is the
contest for political power between the ma-
jority Indian community and the slightly
smaller African community. As in Triidad,
all politics is essentially racial politics.
Not just bandits
The massacre was not an act of banditry
and robbery, but a deliberately chosen and
well executed execution by a commando
type gang armed with military assault rifles
like AK-47's. Several of the victims were
shot sleeping in their beds and little attempt
was made to rob the five homes attacked.
Lusignan is a very poor village. Witnesses
reported hearing gunmen giving orders to
kill the villagers. Robbers do not usually
kill children: There's no money in that.
This shooting was not an isolated event
but part of a military type campaign. Ear-
lier the same group attacked police head-
quarters at Eve Leary , shooting two
policemen on guard. They are also believed
to be the same group who stage a fierce
firefight with the Guyanese army outside
the black village of Buxton, killing one sol-
dier. Neither of these two other actions
brought any money to the gang.
A reason given by the suspected gang
leader “Fineman” that he wanted his girl-
friend released by the police, makes no
sense. Police did not arrest his pregnant
girlfriend, who has since turned up safely
with her newborn child. Shooting at sol-
diers and police and killing innocent vil-
lagers is not a reasonable response to a
missing girlfriend.
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ictimes@rogers.com
look more like the continuation of an un-
official insurrection, or guerrilla war
against the PPP and its supporters than ban-
dit attacks for money. The PNC and other
black groups have been trying since 1992
to overthrow the elected PPP government
by violent street protests and political pres-
sure, supported by relentless criminal at-
tacks focusing on Indians. Failing
consistently to beat the PPP in elections,
the PNC has been trying to topple the gov-
ernment or applying pressure to force the
PPP to share government by “executive
power sharing” Attacks on PPP supporters
make the point that the PPP is in office but
is powerless to defend its supporters or de-
liver law and order. The PNC solution is a
government of national unity and power
sharing to gain the influence it cannot ob-
tain through elections.
Police fail to respond (again)
A gross and unforgivable failure of three
police stations to respond to calls for help
from desperate Lusignan villagers is ab-
solutely normal in Guyana. It confirmed
once again that Guyana's largely black po-
lice cannot or will not deliver security to the
Indian community. President Bharrat
Jagdeo’s government has been weakened
by another proof his police and army cannot
guarantee law and order. The armed forces
will not work for him as they did for gov-
ernments formed by the PNC in the past.
This time there was an unprecedented
level of anger directed at the PPP govern-
ment after Lusignan. PPP officials were
roughed up and jeered during spontaneous
street protests. People insulted Jagdeo him-
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416-832-7293
self and told him he was useless. An Indian
woman attempted to hand Jagdeo a
woman's panty to wear, and another
woman tried to put a mala with the pictures
of the 11 victims around his neck.
Protesters openly called for the return of
former government minister Gajraj and
Roger Khan, both believed to have organ-
ized death squads that killed black crimi-
nals. There was also heavy criticism of the
PPP in forums organized in New York
which has an enormous Indo-Guyanese
community.
Protesters brutalized
In its turn, President Jadgeo's government
was strangely brutal in putting down spon-
taneous demonstrations after the Lusignan
massacre. Police were allowed to beat pro-
testers and break up demonstrations. Other
protesters were tear gassed, and some were
shot by police using buckshot. Police de-
nied permission for grieving villagers to
make peaceful public marches. This con-
trasts sharply with the normally tolerant
behaviour of police towards black protest-
ers, even when blacks were blocking roads
or marching without permission. Jagdeo
can make the police brutalize Indian pro-
testers but cannot get them to respond
promptly to routine calls for help from In-
dian victims of crime.
The failure of Guyana police to arrest
suspected gang leader Fineman for five
long years has more to do with unwilling-
ness to arrest him than anything else.
(CONT’D ON PAGE 19 )
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CANADA & COMMUNITY NEWS Indo-Caribbean Times FEBRUARY 2008 Page 3
Toronto to set Time for alternative to Guyana to recognize Quotes from the
up Africentric Lord’s Prayers, says son who became B.C.
governor in 1858
Toronto Star
Premier McGuinty
school in 2009
Trustees at the Toronto District School Reciting the Lord's Prayer to begin daily
Board (TDSB) have narrowly approved a proceedings at the Ontario legislature is a
proposal to set up at least one Africentric dated practice that doesn't reflect the
Alternative School in Toronto in Septem- province's modern-day cultural diversity,
ber 2009. Premier Dalton McGuinty said Wednesday
They will also set up a pilot program in
as he proposed an all-party committee to
three existing schools that would integrate look for alternatives.
the "histories, cultures, experiences and
contributions of people of African descent
and other racialized groups" into the cur-
It is time for a more inclusive approach that
reflects 21st-century Ontario, where more
riculum. that one-third of the population was born
The main reasons given for the move was outside Canada, McGuinty said before his
that black students have a high drop out rate
Liberal government's weekly cabinet meet-
of around 40%, and some say they are dis- ing.
connected and alienated from their culture
in existing schools.
"I think it's time for us to ensure that we
Black parents and community members have a prayer that better reflects our diver-
who supported the proposal say that a black
sity," he said.
focused school will help with the self es-
teem and motivation of black students.
"I've asked for a parliamentary committee,
They believe it will reduce the drop out rate with representation from each of the parties
and improve the low levels of academic
and the Speaker's involvement as well, to
achievement of many black students. take a look at how we can move beyond the
The black focuses school is opposed by
Lord's Prayer to a broader approach that is
a large section of the black community, and more inclusive in nature."
the majority of non blacks in Toronto. They
say the black focused school is a return to McGuinty denied the proposed change in
segregaation, and that isolating black stu- prayer was an attempt to counter some of
dents from the multicultural and multi eth- the religious feelings and rhetoric stirred up
nic reality of Toronto will do more harm during last year's Ontario election campaign
than good. by the fierce debate over funding for faith-
There is no indication where the money based schools.
to set up the school will come from. The
TDSB is facing a large budget deficit, and "No, I think it's a reflection of the times,"
Premier Dalton McGuinty says the he said.
Province of Ontario will not pay for the
school. "We're much more than just Protestants and
Petro-Can makes big
Catholics today. We have all the world's
finds gas find in TT
faiths represented here. If they're repre-
sented outside the legislature, I think we
ought to find a way to ensure that diversity
Celebrate 2008
is reflected inside the legislature as well."
Petro-Canada has made a natural gas
discovery in Block 22 offshore T&T that
Centenary of
could contain between 0.6 - 1.3 trillion
cubic feet of recoverable natural gas.
Arrival of Indo-
The well was drilled in 430 metres of
water to a depth of 1,712 metres below sea
Caribbeans in
leve. It well flowed natural gas at a rate of
23 million cubic feet per day, indicating that
Canada
it could contain between 0.6 - 1.3 trillion
cubic feet of gas. After this another well
will ne drilled 4.6 kilometres to the south,
followed by two or three other prospects in
as part of a 5-well drilling program.
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notice and some conditions may apply
A
Guyana born man who became the
first governor of the province of
British Columbia is likely to be given for-
mal recognition in Guyana this year..
Sir James Douglas, who was born in Bel-
mont, Mahaica in 1803, to a mother who
was a slave and a father who was a wealthy
Scottish sugar merchant, is one of the ear-
liest Guyanese to come to Canada and one
of its highest achievers.
Guyanese immigrant Clyde Duncan,
President of the Canadian Cultural Associ-
ation of British Columbia, is spearheading
efforts to recognize the contribution of Sir
James. Duncan recently held discussions in
Guyana with Prime Minister Samuel Hinds
and other officials, together with Canadian
High Commissioner Charles Court, and the
Belmont, Mahaica Neighbourhood Demo-
cratic Council among others to discuss a
proposal made to celebrate the life and
work of Sir James.
In 1812 James left what then British
Guiana with his family for Scotland where
he was educated. At 16 he went to Canada
to work for the Hudson Bay Company, and
moved up to the top levels in the British
Columbia area. He became governor of the
Colony of Vancouver Island in 1851and in
1858 was also made governor of the Colony
of British Columbia. Douglas is considered
to be the “Father of British Columbia.” He
died in 1877.
World stock markets
take $5 trillion beating
Stock markets around the world lost a
record $5.2 trillion dollars in January
thanks to the fallout from the US subprime
crisis and fears of a global economic slow-
down, Standard & Poor's said last week.
That is almost double the $2.8 billion
total budget of the US, the largest economy
in the world. Canada’s budget for 2007 is
$39 billion.
The independent credit ratings' provider
said emerging markets fell 12.44 percent
and developed markets lost 7.83 percent to
register one of the worst starts to a new
year.
"There were few safe havens in January
as 50 of the 52 global equity markets ended
the month in negative territory, with 25 of
them posting double-digit losses," said
Howard Silverblatt, senior index analyst at
S&Ps. All 26 developed equity markets
posted negative returns in January, with 16
losing at least 10 percent of their value.
In Paris, the stock exchange lost 12.27
percent over the course of January, in Lon-
don it was down 8.85 percent in January,
down 16.54 percent for the past three
months. The US fell 6.07 percent in Janu-
ary, Japan dropped 4.47 percent in January,
Germany fell 13.72 percent in January,
Equity markets in emerging countries
also suffered heavy losses in January, with
Turkey falling 22.70 percent, China by
21.40 percent, Russia by 16.12 percent and
India at 16 percent.
Ontario child poverty centre
Ontario is the child poverty centre of the
country with 345,000 poor kids. According
to a recent United Way report, 30 per cent
of Toronto families are living in poverty,
compared to 16 per cent in 1990.
School board stealing ESL
funding for swimming pools
John Campbell, Toronto District School
Board chair , Toronto Star Feb. 6, 2008
It costs the (Toronto School) board $17
million a year to keep the ( 78 swimming)
pools open. The board already gets $5 mil-
lion from the city, which runs parks and
recreation programs in 35 pools.
For years, the board has been covering the
remaining costs by short-changing new im-
migrants students by using their ESL fund-
ing to pay for pools, he said.
St Vincent PM freed
on rape charges
St Vincent Prime Minister Ralph Gon-
salves, has been cleared of accusations of
rape made by a former member of his se-
curity detail.
A 36-year-old policewoman made the
shocking allegation against Gonsalves, who
Trinidadians also know as being a close
friend of Prime Minister, Patrick Manning
and frequent visitor to this island.
In an interview Gonsalves said the alle-
gations of rape and indecent assault were
politically motivated. "It is an outrageous
allegation," Gonsalves said, "Both allega-
tions are false and malicious."
"What is really strange is that these com-
plaints were made after the lawyers for this
lady had written to the Commissioner on
the 26th (January). And it came to the at-
tention of the Commissioner and the Com-
missioner wrote in the following terms,
among other things:
"'I had the matter investigated and those in-
vestigations did not reveal any evidence of
wrongdoing by the Prime Minister'."
Brampton kidney kidnap
doctor arrested in Nepal
The Brampton doctor being hunted in-
ternationally because of his alleged in-
volvement in selling kidneys harvested
from unsuspecting people, has been ar-
rested in Nepal. The man known as “Dr
Horror” is a one-time actor in C-grade Bol-
lywood films and a "very Casanova type of
character" with as many as six aliases, po-
lice and journalists in his native India say.
He was found with over $1 million and sev-
eral travel documents.
Dr. Amit Kumar is wanted there for per-
forming some 500 illegal transplants over
the past eight or nine years, with kidneys
that were in some case removed from peo-
ple held at gunpoint and sold to wealthy
clients locally and from overseas.
The hunt spread to a quiet neighbourhood
in Brampton after it was discovered he had
bought a home there last year. A woman be-
lieved to be his wife and two young chil-
dren live there now, according to
neighbours.
COMMENTARY
Indo-Caribbean Times is
published monthly in Toronto
by Indo-Caribbean Times Ltd.
Editor/Publisher: Ram Jagessar
Editorial Committee:
Reynold Ramdial, Gulcharan Mo-
habir, Lloyd Harradan, Sandy
Kissoonsingh, Roop Misir, Deoraj
Narine, Jiantee Jagessar,Krishna
Nankissoor, Rudy Lochan
Offi
ficce: 17 Gaiety Drive,
Toronto ON Canada M1H 1B9
Tel: 416-289-3898
E-Mail: ictimes@rogers.com
Opinions given in this newspaper
are those of the authors and do
not necessarily reflect the views
of the Indo-Caribbean Times.
We welcome letters, e-mails and
comments on matters relevant to
Indo-Caribbeans in Canada and
abroad, and also those at home in
the Caribbean. All content must
comply with the requirements of
Canadian law.
A copy of this newspaper is
posted on the internet in as a pdf
file immediately after publication,
and the entire contents can be
read online by anyone with a
computer and an internet con-
nection.
Past and current issues of the IC-
Times can be found at
http://www.esnips.com/web/Indo
-CaribbeanTimes
Readers are also invited to look at
the website
www.indocaribbeanheritage.com
which contains abundant infor-
mation on Indo-Caribbeans in
Canada and our Caribbean her-
itage and history.
Commentary:
Steelband music not doing well in Trinidad
Entertainment writer Peter Blood says
that steelband is not popular in its home-
land, and it may need its own radio station.
“ Try as I may, scanning our three dozen
radio frequencies, there is a drought of “pan
music” on the airwaves.
“Last weekend, at zonal Panorama elim-
inations nationwide, with the exception of
the retro selections, few of the pieces per-
formed by participating steelbands seemed
familiar to the public, given the many
queries I answered..
“ Gone are the days of Kitchener and
Sparrow, when our two radio stations
played all the selections bands would per-
form at Panorama. Back then, not only did
the radio stations show respect and appre-
ciation for the music, but the artistes them-
selves actually sang the selections in the
few calypso tents in operation.
Indo-Caribbean Times
THE DEFENCE OF INDIANS (1977)
From the editor’s desk
Files can be very embarass-
ing things, especially when
they reveal documents like
this 1977 pamphlet on the
issue of security for Indians
Ram Jagessar in Trinidad. It was released
by a small group in St Au-
gustine of which I was a member. As a re-
minder of opportunities not taken, I am
releasing it as it was printed over 30 years
ago. There may still be something for Indo-
Trinidadians to learn from it now.
THE DEFENCE OF INDIANS
Over the years we Indians have had to de-
fend ourselves from all kinds of attacks.
Others have attacked our religion, culture,
political parties, our place in the economy,
and have all failed in their efforts.
Today it is time to prepare ourselves for
another kind of attack, and to organise our
own defence. This time we are facing phys-
ical, criminal attack from members of an-
other racial group. It is plain racial robbery
and terrorism, with Indians being attacked
mostly by non-Indians. All of us know
about it. Every day it gets worse.
They are stealing our cars, robbing our
business places without mercy. They are
mugging us on the streets, hijacking our
taxis and cars or stealing them in broad day-
light. They are burglarising our empty
homes or committing armed robberies on
our homes when we are present. They are
raping our women. They are stealing our
animals and our crops in the fields.
COMING INTO OUR HOMES
Crooks and bandits are openly coming
into our areas, scouting for places to rob.
They are selling cocaine and ganja at our
street corners, sometimes with help from
Indians. Sometimes they poison our dogs
before coming to rob our homes. What it
means is that these people are terrorizing
us where we live and daring us to do some-
thing. A few of them are openly saying that
we Indians nave the money and we have to
mind them now. They are saying they must
steal from us because they have no jobs.
Many incidents are taking place. Busi-
nessmen are sometimes robbed every week.
Houses are broken into again and again.
Everybody in Trinidad knows of some ex-
amples. We see too that the Police are gen-
“The bottom line to most things in
today’s scheme of things is dollars and
cents, and more than 30-something-plus
radio stations, not to mention most of cor-
porate T&T, really don’t give one rat’s arse
about pan music, the national instrument or
Panorama.
“Which brings me to wonder just how
many so-called “pan lovers” actually love
pan or Panorama. I contend that the major-
ity of the thousands corralled within the
high priced Northern Greens on Sunday at
the Queen’s Park Savannah listened to not
one solitary performance in its entirety.
“For most it was just another opportunity
to have fun, drink too much, gallery, get on
bad and cuss, and make noise.
FEBRUARY 2008
erally useless and helpless to stop this racial
robbery. Sometimes they seem to be help-
ing people like the drug pushers. Some po-
licemen do not seem to be interested in
cracking down on crooks making a living
by robbing Indians.
The result is that we are living in jails.
We can't leave our homes and be sure to re-
turn and find them safe. Some Indians are
afraid to go out to the cinema or a show, and
are looking to migrate to other lands.
But that will not do at all. It is not an an-
swer. We have to understand what is hap-
pening. Then we have to act, and do
something to protect ourselves. A people
who cannot protect themselves from attack
are not sure to survive.
Some Indians have already started, happy
to say. They are getting ready to defend
their selves, homes, villages, vehicles, ani-
mals and crops. In St. Helena, for instance,
after a nasty robbery the villagers have set
up their vigilante squad. But a lot of us are
not really thinking of self defence. We do
not have to wait until we are personally at-
tacked. When we see our neighbour's house
on fire, we should take out our hose and
start wetting ours.
THE GUYANA PATTERN
First we have to ask some simple ques-
tions. Why should we work to defend our-
selves if we have the Police to do that job?
The answer is that for the most part the Po-
lice are not doing the job and there is no
likelihood they will start soon. They are
mostly of the same group as the criminals
anyway and neither side considers robbing
Indians to be specially bad.
Can this pattern of racial robbery get
worse? Yes, it definitely can.
Has it happened anywhere else? Yes,
right in nearby Guyana, and that is the pat-
tern we can expect to get here very soon. In
Guyana we have had armed gangs of non-
Indians from the towns going into the coun-
try areas and kicking down the doors of In-
dian homes, robbing, killing, raping as if
they were in Uganda . Sometimes they use
army and Police vehicles, and some of the
bandits are in fact soldiers and police. They
have terrorized the Guyanese Indians and
made them like a bunch of helpless sheep.
We cannot let that happen in Trinidad.
The Trini Indian is a different creature alto-
gether. We did not sweat and sacrifice to
build this nation for a bunch of crooks and
thieves to take away the rewards from us.
We have education, we have some money,
we have numbers. We must drive the
wolves back into their caves and scatter the
corbeaux from our dinner table. We have to
start now.
THE PROCEDURE
It doesn't take much to start on the road
to self defence and safety of Indians. We
start by opening our eyes to what is hap-
pening around us, in our own areas and
elsewhere in the country. What is the trend,
the pattern? Be sure it will reach you sooner
or later.
Next, we look at the culprits. Exactly
who are the people doing the crimes? Make
a little investigation in your area, set up a
little group to find out. Get the descriptions,
and if possible the names, addresses and
method of operation of the bandits. Some-
times they are making no attempt to hide,
as if nobody can do anything to them. Then
Page 4
we can organise to show them different.
Then we decide what weapons we need to
deal with these bloodsuckers, and what
kind or insecticide we have to apply. They
have declared war on us, and since we can-
not surrender, we have to fight them. It's as
simple as that.
Some other things follow from this line
of thinking. First, each Indian must look to
making his home safe from attack from bur-
glars, kick down door bandits, rapists etc.
Do we need steel doors, bars, dogs, burglar
proofing? Should we put up fences? Should
we open the door for strangers without see-
ing who they are first? Should we keep a
weapon handy in the house? What should
it be, a club, cutlass, speargun, or something
else? How do we alert neighbours of a
problem? What do we do to protect our cars
or our crops in the fields? These are serious
questions which require answers. Do not
assume you are safe because you live in a
country area or because you nave not been
hit before.
We have to move beyond just defending
our homes and business places. We must
.look to the defence of our area as a zone.
That means co-operating with neighbours,
neighbourhood watch, a telephone alert
system, alarms, roadblocks, vehicle patrols,
weapons. If there are known offenders in
the area they have to be dealt with, very
firmly. We have to protect women and chil-
dren, especially women alone at home in
the day or walking home at night.
SELF DEFENCE GROUPS
Various such self defence groups may
have to get together to confront well known
robber roosts, to pressure the Police or the
political parties on a national basis. We are
talking about making Trinidad a safe place
for Indians to live and work, and nobody is
going to do that job for us. We must do it
ourselves, and take whatever steps neces-
sary.
Even on a personal level, we have to look
to our safety. We Indians have to start think-
ing of our safety, now and in the future. We
must start learning karate, judo and other
self defence systems. We have to get legal
weapons to protect ourselves when we
move around. We must understand that cor-
beaux will start eating us if we lie still and
dead in appearance. Corbeaux fly away
when they see an animal alive and kicking,
especially when they see the kicking. Un-
derstand the nature of the enemy attacklng
us, and we will drive him away. This is
deadly serious business. What we do de-
cides how, where and in what condition we
Indians live in Trinidad.
To conclude: Let us observe the problem
of non Indians attacking us on a widespread
and growing scale. Let us look at the trends.
Let us look at solutions, plans for defending
ourselves and dealing with our attackers.
The position is serious. It calls for serious
thought and serious action NOW, not in
1991 or 1995. Racial crime against Indians
is a reality today. Let us put it on our agenda
TODAY.
The End
Indian Defence Unit, St Augustine
Crime expert: gang attacks could be political
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO NEWS
83% of gangs are Afro-Trinidadian, 13% Indos
T he increasing spate of deadly attacks by
criminal gangs on citizens throughout
T&T could be a subversive plot to create
political instability says criminologist
Ramesh Deosaran. Also an independent
senator, Deosaran suggested gangs could be
the mastermind of elements who wanted to
create public panic.
“I have a feeling gang violence might be
swinging in that direction. ButI would leave
that so for now,” he said in an interview
with the Sunday Guardian. The professor
said recent research shows the existence of
95 gangs in Trinidad, most of them coming
from the East/West Corridor and with gang
members who were over 80% Afro-Trinida-
dian.
Sen. Ramesh Deosaran
Deosaran commented that Lusignan type
attacks are happening in Trinidad. He was
speaking in the context of the massacre of
11 people, including five children, in the
coastal village of Lusignan, Guyana two
Saturdays ago by an armed gang. He said
such killings were already happening in
T&T “in lesser proportions.”
He cited the recent attacks on the rural
villages of Flanagin Town, Tabaquite, Tal-
paro, Las Lomas and Cumuto by armed
gangs in which people were killed, raped
and robbed in the attacks.
“So it's very easy to do here what hap-
pened in Guyana,” he said.
Growth of gangs
In the Senate last Tuesday, Deosaran
warned that criminal gangs would increase
in number over the next few years and will
penetrate almost every part of T&T.
Noting that “T&T is into an unprece-
dented era of fear” as a result of violent at-
tacks by gangs, he claimed there were more
criminal gangs operating in the country
than the 86 cited by National Security Min-
ister Martin Joseph in the Senate.
Deosaran said research done by Charles
Katz, a member of a team hired by Gov-
ernment revealed that 95 gangs were oper-
ating in T&T and that over 80 per cent of
themembers are Afro-Trinidadian.
“Katz gave the number of gangs back then
as 95 and said there was a total of 1,269
members.
Deosaran also questioned the inability of
Indo-Caribbean Times
National Security, given itsknowledge of
the number of gangs, to track their move-
ments and attacks.
He said backing up Katz's research that
83 per cent of the country's gang members
are Afro-Trinidadian and 13 per cent Indo-
Trinidadian, hedid a study titled African
Youth in Danger on the East/West Corridor
in 2006. He found most of the gangs come
from this area.
Deosaran said while in some parts of the
world, fear was being instilled through ter-
rorism and in other places through assassi-
nations, in the Caribbean, it was through
mass murders by gangs.
Panday: $67m
spent on mostly
useless blimps
Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday is
calling for a public enquiry into Govern-
ment's acquisition of its first national secu-
rity blimp, which cost $12.6 million but
was not suitable for the country's weather
conditions.
"Who recommended it? You can't come
now and tell us the atmosphere was bad.
What happen? Somebody change the
wind?" Panday said.
He said there should be a public enquiry
to investigate the Government's acquisition
of the other blimp ,which along with the
first have cost the State $67.1 million over
the past three years.
"There was a massive corruption and
bribery in the purchase of those blimps and
we must demand a public enquiry," Panday
said.
National Security Minister Martin Joseph
admitted in Parliament recently that the
first blimp bought in 2004 for $12.6 million
was not suitable for the country's weather
conditions. A further $7,056,000 was spent
to maintain and repair this non functioning
blimp-Aeros 40B SkyDragon. It had to be
sold for its purchase price.
Government then leased a Skyship 600
blimp in 2005 for $4.7 million for seven
months, and later bought it for $15 million.
It is still working, but has cost $1.4 million
a month to repair and maintain. To date
over $26 million has been spent on the
blimp, or close to twice its purchase price.
FEBRUARY 2008
Gov't should have
paid ransom for
kidnapped Zalina
After the kidnapping of Central busi-
nesswoman Zalina Mohammed earlier this
month, deputy mayor of Chaguanas Or-
lando Nagessar demanded that government
pay her ransom. Zalina has since been re-
leased after payment of part of the $1m ran-
som.
The businesswoman, who was kidnapped
from her wholesale liquor store at Main
Road, Orange Valley by two armed men
posing as customers.
Zalina ran a small liquor store out of her
home, with help from her family.
Basdeo Panday, Member of Parliament
for the area, along with Allan Seepersad,
local government representative for the
Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corpo-
ration; and Orlando Nagessar, chairman of
the Couva North Constituency and Deputy
Mayor of Chaguanas, visited members of
Mohammed’s family on Friday.
Nagessar, meanwhile, invited Prime
Minister Patrick Manning and National Se-
curity Minister Martin Joseph to visit the
home of kidnap victim Mohammed and feel
for themselves the pain and agony of the
members of the family.
“Members of the Government are con-
cerned more about talking about dog rice
and airport scandals in the Parliament, in-
stead of finding a solution to the crime
problem,” Nagessar said.
“It is time residents get a vigilante group
going to secure themselves, like the people
of Macaulay. I am calling on the Govern-
ment to pay the ransom (for Mohammed)
because the Government has failed to se-
cure the people.”
It is not known who paid the ransom for
Zalina or what part of the ransom was paid.
Government sources have not replied to
Nagessar’s request for payment of the ran-
som. Zalina was said to be shaken but not
physically injured by the ordeal. Police
have not issued any description or artist’s
sketch of the kidnappers.
Page 5
CJ Sharma: I stood up
for what was right
Former chief justice Satnarine Sharma
says he stood up for what was right when
he resisted two attempts to remove him
from office during the last three years of his
tenure.
"What would have been the impression if
I had not stood up and resigned? What
would have the people found out if I had
not stood up and withstood this assault?"
Sharma said on his last day in office.
He was commenting about the legal ef-
forts to have him removed from office that
arose out the allegations of misconduct
against him in the trial of former Prime
Minister Basdeo Panday in 2006, as well as
that of vascular surgeon Prof Vijay
Naraynsingh in 2005. Sharma had refused
to resign when Prime Minister Patrick Man-
ning had suggested he do so. Last Decem-
ber, the tribunal that investigated the
allegations against Sharma found there was
not enough evidence to impeach him.
Panday: Mafia helped
PNM win elections
Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday has
ordered United National Congress Alliance
(UNC-A) members to prepare to fight po-
litical "enemies" other than the ruling party
in the Local Government elections.
Panday said a "mafia" helped to ensure
the ruling People's National Movement
(PNM) gained its victory in the last General
Election by keeping Congress of the Peo-
ple (COP) political leader Winston Dook-
eran from holding any unity talks with the
UNC-A.
"Do you know that one of the reasons
why Dookeran was not allowed to even
meet to talk unity with the UNC was be-
cause two top officials of the CORPSE
were receiving huge kick-backs from the
advertising agencies on the millions being
spent by the mafia on advertising," Panday
said in an address at Rienzi Complex. in
Couva.
Panday did not identify who exactly com-
prised the mafia he spoke of or the two COP
officials he claimed had received bribes to
keep Dookeran from holding unity talks
with the UNC.
"We all know that the PNM is the known
and traditional enemy but I suspect that the
mafia will again intervene in these local
Government elections to use the CORPSE
to try to bring about a PNM victory," Pan-
day said.
Gang war causes exodus from Laventille area
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Several families have abandoned their Pic-
ton Road, Laventille, homes because they
did not want to be caught up in an on-going
gang war in the area that seems hell-bent on
dragging them in.
The move came after two homes, hous-
ing two families, were torched . Gang mem-
bers attempted to torch a third house and
another was shot at several times.
Two of the houses, one which had a fam-
ily of seven and the other a family of three
were attacked around 8 a.m. Within min-
utes after the Molotov cocktail was thrown
both houses went up in flames. Both houses
and everything in them were destroyed.
Earlier , at around 5 a.m., gunmen shot at
another house nearby. No one was injured
in that attack. A woman from Picton who
requested anonymity said, "where people
going to stay now? We kept calling the po-
lice and they not coming. We need some-
thing. We need an apartment or something.
Nobody come and talk to us. We may have
to go on the promenade and sleep."
She said she and some members of her
family were fortunate to find a place away
from the, "war zone ....but not everybody
that lucky and neighbours fear for their
lives. Some people leave everything behind
for the gangsters, their televisions, fridges
everything.
Now its illegal
immigrants
from Africa!
Trinidad was the destination of a ship
carrying starving refugees from Africa , that
was found adrift off the coast of Brazil .
They were being lured by Trinidad 's boom-
ing economy and the promise of jobs.
A barge carrying 13 people was found
earlier this month drifting in the Atlantic
Ocean . The refugees, who were showing
signs or malnutrition and dehydration, had
spent 17 days at sea making a trip across
the Atlantic Ocean of almost 2,000 miles to
get to Trinidad .
Trinidad immigration officers said the
refugees were arriving in growing numbers
along Trinidad 's unsecured south coast,
brought in by smugglers coming from
Guyana and Venezuela . A Ghanian man
was held in Moruga in a police roadblock
and charged with illegally entering
Trinidad . Three other men believed to be
from Ghana , and who arrived by fishing
boat in Moruga, are being sought by po-
lice, who said that many of the Africans try-
ing to get to Trinidad were from Sierra
Leone , Nigeria . Last month, six Viet-
namese nationals were held in South
Trinidad , and held for deportation.
A source in Trinidad ’s the Immigration
Department said that emigrants were com-
ing to work in construction jobs, knowing
their ethnicity would make them anony-
mous.
There is no visa requirement to land in
Brazil . With refugees coming in at Erin ,
Quinam, Moruga and Point Fortin, there are
only three police investigators attached to
the south Immigration Department to pros-
ecute cases.
It is believed that the immigrants leave
Brazil secretly and are transported by fish-
ing boats to Trinidad, where they try to
merge into the population and find em-
ployment.
Indo-Caribbean Times
Opposition parties
talk security
DEPUTY Political Leader of the UNC Al-
liance Jack Warner yesterday held security
talks with Chief Security Officer of Con-
gress of the People (COP), Captain Gary
Griffith, Security Chief of SWAT, Aaron
Henry, and Mayor of Chaguanas Dr Suruj
Rambachan to discuss ways and means of
improving the security of the business com-
munity and constituents of Chaguanas
Earlier this year Warner and Tabaquite
Member of Parliament Ramesh Lawrence
Maharaj launched a community security
operation in Macaulay, which like Chagua-
nas, has seen anincrease in robberies of
businesses and street hold-ups. Police re-
sponse has been generally slow.
At the meeting Griffith presented an in-
tervention plan that would lock-down Ch-
aguanas as well as make use of up-to date
technology to detect crime and catch the
criminals. Armed guards will soon be
posted to Chaguanas to carry out patrols
and a mobile unit, purchased by Warner
will also be placed in the Borough.
Griffith challenges
Dookeran leadership
Frontline COP member Gary Griffith has
challenged the leadership of Congress of
the People (COP) political leader Winston
Dookera. Griffith, a Port of Spain North/St
Ann's West candidate in the last general
election, wrote a letter to Dookeran that
strongly criticised the COP political leader's
leadership style about two weeks ago.
"Winston Dookeran has become a law
unto himself," Griffith said in a recent in-
terview. ""Our political leader was selected
rather than elected and we need to have
some electoral process to have the full sup-
port of the 148,000. I don't think we can get
an extra vote with Winston Dookeran as the
political leader," Griffith also said.
He said the party's constitution only pro-
vided for an interim executive until the
holding of its internal elections which are
done sometime in the middle of this year.
Griffith said that Dookeran, as the COP po-
litical leader, has set up several parallel
groups that are taking their instructions
from him without any input from the exec-
utive Dokeran said while he would not
comment on any specific aspect of Grif-
fith's claims, all of the COP's members
were moving forward towards the goal of
attaining a victory in Local Government
elections due by July of this year.
January worst for
murders with 41 killed
January was the bloodiest month for
killings in Trinidad history, with 41 people
murdered, three more than the previous
record of 28 for January 2007. The last
victim in January, Akeem James, was shot
22 times by four gunmen in Morvant on
January 30.
"Somebody have to dead tonight," was al-
legedly the phrase used by gunmen before
they shot and killed James, who lived in
Second Caledonia, Morvant.
The current murder count in Trinidad is
now 54, with 13 homicides coming in the
first 13 days of February.
FEBRUARY 2008
Bernadine wants to
drop 400 of 600 lbs
Trinidad's biggest woman is trying to lose
some weight, 400 lbs in all, or about the
weight of three average sized Trinis. Six
foot tall, 600 lb Bernadine Graham of
Guapo, wants to walk out of the house she
hasn't left for three years. The forty one
year old was already 426 lbs when she be-
came pregnant four years ago, and started
putting on weight. During the birth of ther
second child Malaika at the San Fernando
General Hospital she suffered a stroke,
wasn’t able to move around and has been
confined to her home. She went on a food
binge and got even heavier. Now she is try-
ing to lose a few pounds, “ for my chil-
dren's sake," she said.
Conspiracy to
shut industry,
say foreign used
car dealers
Foreign used car dealers in Trinidad are
protesting the decision by government to
suspend the importation of foreign used
cars while they review of the quota system
introduced in December 2006.
The Pre-Owned Motor Vehicle Dealers
Association, which represents the 352 reg-
istered foreign used car dealers, has accused
the ministry of a conspiracy to shut down
the industry.
A local group GOPIOtt has said that
used car dealers are predominantly East In-
dianTrinidadians, and has called for assur-
ances that there is no clandestine move by
theGovernment of Trinidad and Tobago to
shut down the industry.
”GOPIOtt find alarming that this Indo-
Trinidadian dominated industry isbeing tar-
geted and victimized by a ministry whose
line minister in anotherportfolio drew the
same complaint. GOPIOtt cannot help but
recall thatMinister Rowley as Minister of
Housing drew similar outrage and criti-
cismfrom the Indo-Trinidadian community
in the distribution of governmenthous-
ing.GOPIOtt also note that the established
new car automobile industrydominated by
other ethnic groups who are traditionally
supporters of thePNM have escaped hard-
ships of government imposed bureaucracy
that theirIndo-Trinidadian counterparts
have experienced.,’ said the group’s presi-
dent Devant Maharajin a press release.
Government has denied the charges and
said that as of January 23, it had issued
2,900 licences to foreign used car dealers.
Fforeign used cars have become very
popular in Trinidad over the last few years,
with better quality than locally assembled
vehicles.
Page 6
State witness to
pujari’s murder
killed beside his
new murti
A star witness to the murder of a Hindu
temple leader has been executed next to the
murti is Lord Hanuman he had just painted
on his wall.
A 53 year old grandfather of ten, Balraj
Harripersad ran next door last August 3to
help his brother, Punjari Kamal Harriper-
sad, who was being attacked by a gang of
men with knives and cutlasses. Kamal Har-
ripersad, the leader of the Shri Maha Lak-
shmi Temple, was chopped to death in front
of his three children. The killers had also
beaten and chopped Balraj and his son, Raj
during their reign of terror.
Balraj helped the police in their investi-
gations which led to the arrest of two men,
and he promised to go to court next week
to testify in the murder case. He was threat-
ened by the gang, and never saw regular po-
lice patrols to guarantee his safety.
Last Monday night, the killers returned to
his home at St John's Trace, Orange Field
Road, Carapichaima. Two men wearing
masks broke into Harripersad's home that
was once a temple, while he sat in the liv-
ing room with his wife at around 8.45 p.m.
He was made to kneel, then shot in the head
next to the mural of Lord Hanuman, which
symbolises courage and which he had
painted on his front wall.
Harripersad wanted to ensure justice was
done for his brother, he told his sons. The
case against the accused killers will now
likely collapse, police said. Police close to
the case said Harripersad had been offered
State witness protection but chose to stay at
his home.
Youths prefer Hindu
camp at Carnival
While many Trinis were jumping up for
Carnival or escaping to the beaches, dozens
of Hindu gladly chose the annual Hindu
Heritage Camp organized by the Hindu
Swayamsevek Sangh at the Chinmaya
Ashram in Couva.
Theme for the camp was Hindus and the
Environment.and the aim was to show the
youths that “Hinduism teaches respect and
care for the ground that we walk and live
on (Darthi mata) the air we breathe (prana,
breath of life) and the water we drink (
Ganga mata).”
Young Hindus followed a daily program
that included devotion, Ramayan and Gita
study, educational lectures, group discus-
sions, art and craft, sports and games with a
Hindu message, and vegetarian meals. The
Swayamsevak Sangh has been holding
camps like these for over 20 years. For
more information contact Priya Teemal
868-663-2955 or Lalchan Dookie at 868-
644-1034.
It pays to
advertise in the
Indo-Caribbean
Times
Over 2,000 deported to TT in last five years
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
O ver 2,000people born in Trinidad and
Tobago have deported back home
from the United States and other foreign
countries in the last five years. Last year
alone 350 were sent back to T&T. and 156
of this number were arrested for criminal
offences.. The highest total in recent times
has been 427 deportations in 2005
National Security Minister Martin Joseph
gave these startling figures in the Senate
while replying to a question from the Opo-
sition.
According to immigration information,
Joseph said the arrivals each year were:
2002 — 220 deportees
2003 — 287 deportees
2004 — 356 deportees
2005 – 427 deportees
2006 — 360 deportees
2007 — 350 deportees
The number of deportees arrested for
criminal offences grew from eight in 2002
to 51 and 46 in 2006 and 2007 respectively,
Joseph noted.
The Minister also stated that 104 people
were killed by the police and Defence Force
in the line of duty between 2002 and 2007.
US slowdown
. her friends and relatives, but nobody saw
could hurt TT
The emerging recession in the US could
have a serious impact on Trinidad’s trading
sector says Central Bank governor Ewart
Williams. He said it is not clear if the re-
cession will result in the softening of
record-high international oil prices, this
would affect government revenues and
public sector investment and government
expenditure.
“If there’s a slowdown in the US econ-
omy, it is likely to affect the economies of
the region and the US$1 billion in exports
that does not come from oil, but comes
from exports to Caricom,” Williams noted.
Williams said T&T could also suffer trading
losses if the recession curtails vacation
travel to the Caribbean by American citi-
zens.
“If Caricom is affected by a slowdown
in tourism then our non-energy export in-
dustries will also be affected,” said
Williams.
Fareeza killed
after soca show
An El Socorro businesswoman, on her
way home from a popular Carnival show,
was shot and killed while dropping a friend
home.
Police reports are that Fareeza Mo-
hammed, 54, was at O'Meara Road, Arima,
to drop off a friend after attending the Spek-
takula Promotions' "Battle of the Sexes"
soca show at the Jean Pierre Complex, Mu-
curapo.
Around 3 a.m., the mother of three
stopped for the friend to get out the vehicle
and she was accosted by a gunman. She
tried to drive off and a shot was fired.
Mohammed was hit in the right side of her
chest. The friend is said to have run in the
opposite direction.
Mohammed's maroon-coloured Almera
vehicle was discovered crashed further
along O'Meara Road. Her lifeless body was
found slumped over the car's steering
wheel. Police believe attempted robbery is
the motive behind Mohammed's murder.
Indo-Caribbean Times
Shalana missing Man caught
for seven weeks selling cocaine
sweets in busy
Chaguanas
Shalana Sabrina Moonoo, 16, has been
missing for seven weeks.
Moonoo, a pupil of the Charlieville ASJA
Girls College, spent the night with her
grand-mother on December 7. Around 8
a.m. the following day, she left the grand-
mother's home at Lennard Street, Bank Vil-
lage, Carapichaima, to go to her parent's
home, a couple blocks away.
Moonoo never reached home, her mother
Sharon Ramjattan said.: "I checked with all
her."
When she disappeared, Moonoo was
wearing a cream coloured skirt and top and
carrying a black bag on her back. She is
around 5 feet four inches tall and has shoul-
der length hair. Moonoo did not take any
personal items with her.
Ramjattan said although she has had to
talk to her daughter sternly before, there
were no quarrels or disagreement when she
disappeared.
"She has lots of friends, boys and girls,
but she did not have any special romantic
relationship. I just hope and pray that she is
not in danger. I just want her to return
home," Ramjattan said.
Crime watch
grabs car thieves
Three persons were held for motor vehi-
cle larceny by members of the Macaulay
village community watch group in con-
junction with officers of the SWAT security
services recently.
.The community watch group, reinforced
by armed security officers, was recently
constituted by Tabaquite MP Ramesh
Lawrence Maharaj and Chag-uanas MP
Austin Jack Warner, to combat rising crime
in the community including the recent mur-
der of a 67-old grandmother from Claxton
Bay.
A member of the watch group said St
Margaret police praised the group for their
role in apprehending the men. He said the
group was on patrol along the Macaulay
Trace Road when they noticed three strange
men emerging from an abandoned house in
the area. He said the patrol stopped and
asked the men where they were going to
which they replied that they were just visit-
ing family members up the street and
pointed to a parked maxi-taxi a few houses
away.
The patrol then left the men and drove to
the house pointed out by the men and asked
the occupants of the house whether they
were related to the three men.. They were
not and the watch group held and called the
police. At the station, the men were identi-
fied by an individual whose car had been
recently stolen and was at the station mak-
ing a report.
FEBRUARY 2008
The most brass faced drug dealers has been
arrested for selling “cocaine sweetie” in full
public view along the busy Chaguanas
Main Road.
A vendor selling cigarettes and sweets,
has turned out to be a drug-dealing kidnap
accused selling cocaine rocks wrapped in
chocolates and mints.
Central Division police officers were
shocked to find the man brazenly selling his
goods in public, with cocaine rocks hidden
in 25 cents sweetie paper selling for $10
and $20 TT. He is one of 21 suspect
charged with the 2005 kidnapping of San-
gre Grande businessmen Richard and
Ronald Nath.
Several years ago, a drug dealer in
Princes Town made a small fortune selling
cocaine rocks with his salted nuts at High
Street, until his arrest and prosecution.
Business paid
$6500 for police
protection: MP
Small business owners had to pay up to
$6,500 a month to the National Security
Ministry for additional police protection
during the Christmas season, Opposition
MP Harry Partap says.
In making the assertion, Partap said it
was equal to the kind of protection money
that criminals extort from the business own-
ers to keep them from being kidnapped.
"That is protection money no matter how
you look at it. The criminals are doing it il-
legally and the Government doing it legally.
What have we descended to?" Partap said.
Many wealthy Trinidadians have been
paying protection money, popularly called
“coward tax”, to prevent family members
from being kidnapped. .Amounts are said
to be as high as $10,000 a month for a fam-
ily or down to $1,000 a month for a single
child. Money is also extorted under the
guise of contributions to charitable organ-
izations.
Industrial Unit for Sub-Lease
2000 square feet
Lowest rates in the area
Mixed office & workplace
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Page 6
Most TT state
agencies not
properly audited
A number of State-run agencies are oper-
ating without adequate internal audit func-
tions, reported director of Central Audit
Committee Kesraj Seegobin.
He was presenting the findings of a sur-
vey evaluating the status and capabilities of
internal audit functions of State agencies at
Ministry of Finance Investments Division
"Principles of Corporate Governance," held
at the new Hyatt Regency Trinidad hotel,
Port of Spain.
Seegobin reported that they had received
replies from 57 per cent of the42 State-run
companies, and of the companies surveyed
20 of them did not have internal audit func-
tions.
Other findings included:
- 17 did not have internal audit committees
- 11 were independently positioned with in
the organisation
- 67 per cent of the internal audit depart-
ments surveyed had access constraints in-
cluding to the board of directors, the CEO,
company records and assets.
He reported that 12 of the agencies had
internal audit departments that were above
satisfactory.
Minister in the Ministry of Finance Mar-
iano Browne, speaking to members of the
media following the conference, explained
that 14 of the 42 companies were dormant
and in exit mode, leaving 28 fully opera-
tional.
He explained that a number of compa-
nies were in start-up mode, at various stages
of "maturity" and there was room for im
provement in internal audit area.
Browne noted that of the 42 companies
wholly State-owned employed 17,000 peo-
ple and had $62 billion in assets. He ex-
plained that of the $62 billion
approximately $39 billion were from the
energy sector and the Finance Ministry was
comfortable with the accounting of these
companies.
He added that the survey was given at
short notice and the results were only pre-
liminary.
GUYANA NEWS Indo-Caribbean Times
COMMUNITY
More Berbice floods
N atives own 14%
of Guyana land
Some 92 Amerindian communities now
own 14 per cent of the country's landmass
after additional land titles were recently ap-
proved by the Guyana government.
Amerindian land now spreads over 30,099
Shaneeza Majeed and her husband,
square kilometres, or roughly six and a half
Sunil Ravindranauth in their yard
times as large as the whole of Trinidad.
Guyana has a total of 214,999 square kilo-
Several villages in East and West
metres, The communities of Rupanau; Ka-
Berbice are now under water following
toka and Parikwarunawa, all in Region
three days of intense rainfall and residents
Nine were granted land titles, while the
who have suffered major losses are calling
Massara and Yakarinta communities, also
for proper drainage system s to be put in
in Region Nine, received extension of titled
place.
lands.
AIDS epidemic
A Corentyne rice farmer said he was
preparing to harvest his crop worth over
under control
$500,000 when the heavy showers came
and "duck everything out." The man is now
wondering how he is going to repay his
loan. Many other rice, cash crop and poul-
The The HIV/AIDS epidemic has been
try farmers suffered similar losses, and
stablizing in Guyana because of the gov-
complained that poor drainage and the de-
ernment's aggressive policies and a goal of
plorable condition of access dams had con-
having no child born with HIV. Minister of
tributed significantly to the situation.
$1 billion for
Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy said all
Guyanese should be proud of the country’s
better water
effort in fighting HIV, which includes com-
prehensive care, treatment, and support for
all people living with HIV. The first case
of AIDS in Guyana was diagnosed in 1987.
The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI)
In 1989, the National AIDS Programme
and the World Bank have agreed to spend
(NAP), under the Ministry of Health, was
GY$1.2 billion (US $12 million) to im-
launched and resulted in the Genito-Urinary
prove water quality in several communities
Medicine (GUM) clinic, the National Lab-
over the next 18 months. The work to be
oratory for Infectious Diseases and the Na-
done by General Earth Movers UEM In-
tional Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS).
corporated of Trinidad and Tobago will in-
In 1992, the National AIDS Programme
clude the design and construction of three
Secretariat (NAPS) was established and
iron removal plants that will facilitate the
charged with the role of setting up the na-
flow of treated water to more than 50,000
tional response to the HIV epidemic. The
people. The project will benefit residents in
result has been a decrease in not only the
Lima, on the Essequibo Coast; Vergenoe-
number of persons being infected but also a
gen, East Bank Essequibo, and at Cotton
reduction in the prevalence rate of HIV in
Tree, West Coast Berbice. Conservationist
Arjoon gets
the different cross sections of society. In
2002, 9.5 percent of all deaths were attrib-
'Caribbean Nobel'
uted to HIV/AIDS. This number has re-
duced significantly to 6.4 percent in 2007
and is expected to be further reduced to 5.6
percent by 2011.
Working on sea
defences at Ogle
Well known conservationist Annette Ar-
joon has been awared the The Anthony N
Sabga Caribbean Award for Excellence
(ANSCAFE), considered to be the
Caribbean Nobel prize. Arjoon, who is
project coordinator and secretary to the
Work on a $180M sea defence between
Guyana Marine Turtle Conservation Soci-
Turkeyen and Ogle on the Rupert Craig
ety (GMTCS), shares the TT$500,000 cash
Highway could be completed by Septem-
prize.with Jamaican Claudette Pious. An-
ber this year. Contracting firm Falcon
other Guyanese, Professor David Daby-
Transportation is now creating 1.1 kilome-
deen, was also recognised for arts and
tres of "rip rap" sea defence which was not
letters while Barbadian James Husbands
done when sea wall repairs took place sev-
copped an award for science and technol-
eral years ago.
ogy. Arjoon has been instrumental in pro-
Presently the area between the ocean and
tecting Shell Beach, a 1,000-mileecosystem
the old sea wall which is very close to the
in the North West Region, where four
road is being cleared and filled. The plan is
species of marine turtle nest. She is also the
to construct a rock slope and a rock crest to
managing director of the Shell Beach Ad-
control the tides.
ventures Company.
FEBRUARY 2008 Page 8
POLITICS
Probe to check weapons
issued by PNC governments
P AFC/ GAP
resident Bharrat Jagdeo has announced
a wide-ranging probe to determine how
call for new
many weapons were issued to government
departments under the late Forbes Burn-
security plan
ham-led administration by the security
forces and have not been returned.
And he revealed that based upon records
provided by the Guyana Defence Force, be-
tween 1976 and 1979, the military issued
236 weapons including General Purpose The opposition AFC and GAP are de-
Machines Guns and other guns of various
manding that President Bharrat Jagdeo and
calibre to the Ministry of National Devel-
the government roll out a new security plan
opment. Jagdeo could not say how many of
for the country. The parties took out a full
those weapons have been returned and he
page newspaper asking Mr Jagdeo to for-
assured that the investigation which he will
mally request international assistance from
commission would hopefully unearth this.
the United Kingdom, United States, CARI-
He gave no time frame as to when the in-
COM and Brazil to arrest the decline into
quiry will commence, neither did he say anarchy. They also wand government to
what form it would take. hold a national conference of stakeholders
Jagdeo's announcement came following on governance and the transformation of
the recovery of two weapons - a M-72 rifle the state by March 1, 2008. The advertise-
and a beretta 9mm submachine gun that ment called on all Guyanese to support the
were issued to the Ministry of National De-
demands to force the changes in the system
velopment under the People's National
of governance and the organisation of the
Congress government from criminals last
state, or for the government to resign.
week during a gun battle at Mahaicony.
No talks with Corbin
Jagdeo said the investigation would go
back as far as the 1950s to present, noting
that it now worries his administration that
guns that were issued to the government
on security unless..
back then have now landed in the criminals'
hands. "The question to be asked is how
Responding to a letter from leader of the
these weapons ended up in criminals'
People's National CongressReform, Robert
hands," Jagdeo commented at his press con-
Corbin on the mowing down of farmlands
ference yesterday afternoon. He said that
aback of Buxton,the Office of the President
his administration has decided early that it
has said that President Bharrat Jagdeo re-
wanted a full investigation, noting that the
mained unprepared to engage with Corbin
matter was a serious one.
unless his stated concerns are addressed
Among the weapons that were issued to
properly.
the national development ministry were:
Corbin wrote to Jagdeo outlining a num-
seven Smith and Wesson Pistols, Four HK
ber of concerns following moves by the ad-
11 Light Machine Guns, eight G-3 rifles,
ministration to clear dense vegetation aback
four General Purpose Machine Guns, 20
of Buxton and several other East Coast De-
beretta Submachine Guns, 15 Self Loading
merara villages. Jagdeo had publicly stated
rifles, 50 M-10 Pistols, six .22 rifles, six .30
that he would not discuss security matters
Carbines, six .303 rifles, 15 Self Loading with Corbin unless the Opposition Leader
rifles, six G-3 rifles, 50 M-10 pistols, 20
acknowledges that criminals were hiding
beretta Submachine Guns, 15 M-70 rifles out in Buxton.
and five M-72 rifles. Corbin has said that it was unacceptable
that the Lusignan tragedy was being used
Bill to defer local
as an excuse for a brutal assault on people
and wanton and unprovoked destruction of
gov't polls passed their property in Buxton and neighbouring
communities.
On the President's ultimatum that the Op-
position Leader must publicly acknowledge
Local government elections in Guyana, due that Buxton was a safe haven for criminals
since 1997, will be held by December this before there were further engagements,
year.The Local Authorities (Elections) Corbin said that he saw this as yet another
(Amendment) bill was unanimously ap- attempt by Jagdeo to play childish and di-
proved by the National Assembly , paving visive politics with the "serious security sit-
the way for municipal and local govern- uation in Guyana." He said that the party
ment elections to be held by December 1, had always been ready to meet uncondi-
2008. tionally to discuss the security situation and
Minister of Local Government and Re- to chart a workable way forward. With re-
gional Development, Kellawan Lall opened gard to the acknowledgement, Corbin said
the debate on the bill which saw lively ex-
that criminals were in every community of
changes before it was given the full support
Guyana.
of the House. The parties involved blamed
Corbin also addressed the non-response
each other for the yearly postponements
of the Vigilance police when the gunmen
since 1994. Lall, however, gave the assur-
went into Lusignan, saying that even Pres-
ance that all the machinery was in place for
ident Jagdeo should know that the police at
elections to be held on or before December
that station lacked the capacity to deal with
1 next year.
the situation, and that it was the head of
This eleven year period is one of the
state who should be blamed for not estab-
longest that Guyana has gone without local
lishing a SWAT team.
government elections. Several parties in-
A proposal to establish a militia has been
cluding the ruling PPP will take part.
around for years but no definitive action has
been taken to get it started.
The Plight of Indians in Guyana
GUYANA NEWS
By Roop Misir, PhD
Background
This Article was written in 2002 to high-
light the plight of Indians in Guyana. Al-
though there have been changes, people
may argue that improvements in the eco-
nomic life of the country and its people
have essentially been put on hold. To some
extent this is a consequence of the high em-
igration rate and consequent loss of skilled
workers. However, an underlying factor is
the apparent breakdown of law and order as
marauding gangs rob people and kill other.
For its part, the government claims that
these attacks affect all citizens, not neces-
sarily Indian..
On January 26, 2008 in the Indian dom-
inated village of Lusignan East Coast De-
merara, eleven more innocent people were
massacred in cold blood in the wee hours
of the morning while sleeping. From all ac-
counts, robbery was not the motive. To no
one surprise, the victims were of Indian de-
scent.
Below is a revised version of the 2002 Ar-
ticle:
Indians Replaced Slavery
in British Guiana
Success usually depends on how well we
can address and solve problems that con-
front us in our daily lives. Like other citi-
zens in the South American country of
Guyana, the Indian population is fully inte-
grated into the mainstream milieu. Their an-
cestors were taken to the colony of British
Guiana to work on the sugar plantations fol-
lowing the abolition of African slavery in
1838. In addition to saving the sugar indus-
try from certain collapse, our ancestors sin-
gle-handedly built the rice industry. By the
time Indian immigration ended in 1917,
nearly a quarter million Indians were taken
from India to this colony.
CRIME: River bandits, kidnapping on Regent Street, threats to ministers’ children
River bandits strike
again at Stanleytown
Five heavily-armed gunmen invaded the
home of a Stanleytown, West Bank Demer-
ara businessman Gladwyn Lall, robbing
him of over $1.5M in cash while threaten-
ing to kill him and his family. The gunmen,
who arrived at the man's home via the De-
merara River, around 6:40 pm, and held up
the family and a worker. They ransacked
the house and found around $1.5M in cash
and jewellery before escaping by boat.
Armed bandits have routinely used the
river as a getaway route after committing
robberies and other crimes along the East
Bank and also West Bank Demerara. Some
recent events where bandits used the rivert
include:
December 11 last year at Anna Catherina,
West Coast Demerara, a gang armed with
guns, robbed Basdeo Sahadar of $5.7 mil-
lion and 355 ounces of raw gold valued at
$55 million.
In September last year staff at the Digi-
cel outlet at Grove Public Road, EBD, were
Indo-Caribbean Times
Indians suffered under various regimes
As time progressed, their descendants ac-
tively participated in every facet of the
country’s economic life. Today, they con-
stitute the largest ethnic group in a politi-
cally independent country of Guyana.
However, events in recent times have
caused a lot of uneasiness. For one thing,
all Guyanese had to endure nearly three
decades of a black dictatorship from the
mid-1960’s to the early 1990’s. Over the
years, government corruption, political
nepotism and overt racial discrimination led
to declining opportunities—especially for
Indians. A weak, corrupt and incompetent
national government was unable to main-
tain law and order. Thus, highly skilled and
educated Guyanese, were forced to immi-
grate to any country that were willing to
take them, but mainly to affluent countries
(EU, USA and Canada).
Social Problems facing Indians
Although Indians are in the majority, their
numbers are actually dwindling due to em-
igration. Strange as it may seem, President
Bharrat Jagdeo and members of his gov-
ernment may be ethnically Indian, but their
efforts are directed to retaining power at all
cost. Out of necessity, therefore, they must
cater to the needs of opposition and their
mainly non-Indian supporters. In the mean-
time ALL Guyanese suffer, but the brunt of
the hardships are borne by Indian people
who have supported the ruling political
party in every national election since 1953.
Below are examples daily social prob-
lems that citizens have to endure under var-
ious governments.
Alcoholism—There is no shortage of al-
coholic beverages. Rum is one of the
cheapest and most readily available bever-
ages. It can be bought illegally at any time
of the day in every corner store or “cake
shop”. Anyone regardless of age can enjoy
a drink at any time and place.
Prostitution—Poor and destitute girls
are forced into the world’s oldest profession
at a young age. As a visitor returning to
home after many years, I recall being ac-
costed by girls younger than my own
daughters. Of course, I dismissed these ad-
vances. But I vividly recall one particular
attacked and robbed by three men all armed
with handguns.
In April also last year nine bandits in-
vaded the Demerara Oxygen Company
Limited headquarters at Eccles, East Bank
Demerara and carted off some $5M.
In June 2006 a gang of seven masked
men carted off $30M from Muneshwer's
Hardware Ltd., Water Street, They held up
the five unarmed security guards on duty at
the time, and used welding torches to cut
open the safe. The police have been criti-
cized for lacking boats and other resources
to adequately patrol the rivers and track
down bandits.
Now its motorbike bandits
Motorcycle bandits have struck in the
city of Georgetown, robbing the Regent
Street internet cafe Mathave's Internet
Cafeof an undisclosed sum of cash before
escaping.
The bandits, one of whom was armed
with a handgun, grabbed the day's takings
at . They also grabbed an employee's cellu-
lar phone and robbed two male customers.
FEBRUARY 2008
instance. Here a helpless soul proposed that
for $5 (US), I could have her services for
one full day. And for $50 (US), she will be
at my call for one entire week!
Crime—Criminals wishing to get “easy
money” pose as police or army personnel,
and prey on unsuspecting overseas visitors/
returnees. Also, bandits armed with hi-tech
weaponry attack private homes of Indians.
In many of these encounters, not only are
money and jewelry taken, but also victim
who resisted sometimes lose their lives!
Suicide—it is true that the helpless usu-
ally flock to houses of God to get (at least
temporary) solace. However, many Indians
have lost hope completely. A friend of mind
recently narrated a very tragic tale of a
young Indian woman who committed sui-
cide to escape the daily beatings of her un-
employed and constantly drunk husband.
After the funeral, friends of the husband ac-
cused him of being responsible for his
wife’s death. And because this was too for
the husband to take, he did what many
young Indian Guyanese find expedient to
do--he took his own life!
Euphoria then Exodus
There was much euphoria following the
restoration of democracy in 1992 with the
election of Dr. Cheddi Bharat Jagan as the
President. But all this soon evaporated for
various reasons. Perhaps, there was no
Truth and Reconciliation Commission to
investigate wrong doings committed by the
previous black dictatorship. Even though
Dr. Jagan publicly declares that he heads a
national government, the main thrust of his
policies is geared to appeasing black sup-
porters and the opposition. The question is:
Like other Indian leaders, was Dr. Jagan af-
flicted with a uniquely Indian disease—ap-
peasing others while taking his own
supporters for granted?
An incident (July 03 2002) may exem-
plify the present plight of Indian people.
During an illegal procession to the presi-
dential palace, the pro-Indian ROAR Party
claims that hundreds of Indians were mer-
cilessly beaten up, sexually molested,
abused, robbed and several businesses
torched. In one particularly gruesome inci-
dent, a gang of African men grabbed a
young Indian girl off the street. Then these
Child found with
concussion grenade
Security forces recently found a small
boy in possession of a concussion grenade
in the Friendship, ECD, area, which led to
the arrest of a male and a female relative.
According to a police press release the child
was later sent away in the custody of his
mother and the female relative was released
on bail. The search operations was part of
Operation Restore Order.
Armed men kidnap
man in Regent Street
The kidnapings have started up again.
Two armed men last week forced a man
into their vehicle in an apparent kidnapping
after first chasing him from King Street to
Regent Street. The man had been about to
leave in his car but instead jumped out and
started running away with two armed men
in pursuit. He ran into a Regent Street store
Page 9
beastly monsters took turns and forced her
to perform oral sex —in broad daylight and
in full view of the public. Did this incident
show us who is in charge here?
Guyanese Speak Out
This latest pogrom against Indians has
provoked even conservative elements in the
Guyanese society to speak out. Up to this
time, people were silent. For the first time,
they are now coming out openly and ad-
mitting the truth. In fact, they are saying
that it was Indians who were targeted for
the mindless racial violence in Guyana.
This has always been the official position
of the ROAR Party. Now, ROAR has re-
newed its call for a UN Peacekeeping Mis-
sion—a call that first went unheeded when
it was first issued in 1998.
Isn’t it about time that the world wake up
to the plight of Indians in Guyana, and take
decisive action before it’s too late?
Guyana Blessed but Blighted
Guyana is blessed with abundant fertile
agricultural lands where almost any crops
can grow year round. On its vast savannahs
are some of the largest cattle ranches. Its
thriving mining industries (gold, diamonds
and bauxite) are generating much revenue.
Recently discovered offshore reserves of oil
and gas can some day transform this strug-
gling country into an energy powerhouse.
Yet, things are not all roses these days. Our
country remains blighted.
Of course, there are always beneficiaries
following tragedies the recent massacre at
Lusignan and other areas in Guyana. Years
of confrontation, conflict and crime by ma-
rauding gangs accelerate the exodus of
Guyanese to countries faced with declining
populations and a shortage of skilled and
talented people. Would this reality help ex-
plain why overseas countries like Canada,
the USA and the EU choose to turn a blind
eye as Guyana faces an uncertain future,
bordering on the brink of collapse?
[Dr. Roop Misir is an Indo-Guyanese
Canadian Teacher with the Toronto District
School Board. Readers may wish to contact
him at roop.misir@gmail.com]
and tried to seek help, but he was grabbed
there by the men, and taken away in a wait-
ing car.
Threats to ministers'
children at schools
Terrifying calls to Georgetown schools
days threatening to harm the children of
government ministers have been described
by Education Minister Shaik Baksh as cal-
lous and cowardly. A call was received at
Queen's College stating that the ministers'
children attending that school would be ab-
ducted. Calls were reported to have been re-
ceived at St Roses and St Agnes schools
conveying similar threats. In addition, a call
was received at the ministry that a bomb
had been planted at St Joseph's High, while
a call was made to St Winefride's inform-
ing them that gunmen were on their way to
the school. This led to classes at these
schools being disrupted. Mobile patrols
have been allocated around schools.
BUSINESS
Using an
RRSP for a
Down Payment
Rudy Lochan
As the popularity of using Registered Re-
tirement Savings Plan (RRSP) for the pur-
pose of buying a home increases, I am
surprised at the number of people in the
mortgage industry that still do not under-
stand the basics of how this program works.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with it,
Canada Customs & Revenue Agency
(CCRA - formerly Revenue Canada) calls
this program the Home Buyer’s Plan.
Generally speaking, the Home Buyer’s
Plan (HBP) is a program where each indi-
vidual going on the title of the home can
withdraw up to $20,000 from their RRSP to
buy or build a qualifying home. (Don’t get
too caught up on the ‘qualifying’ idea;
nearly every typical type of residence is in-
cluded). This means that three people buy-
ing together can withdraw up to $60,000 (3
x $20,000) collectively. Withdrawals that
meet all of the CCRA HBP conditions are
not included in income in the year of with-
drawal.
This program is also generally restricted
to first time home buyers, or those individ-
uals who have not owned a home for the re-
quired qualification period. For those
interested in determining eligibility there is
a simple test that can be followed on
CCRA’s website.
The total amount withdrawn for the home
purchase has to be withdrawn completely
in the same calendar year. In order for the
amount to be eligible for withdrawal it must
have been in your RRSP for a minimum of
90 days. Through the program you have the
ability to withdraw the amount all at once,
or through a series of withdrawals not to ex-
ceed $20,000 per individual.
After you have withdrawn this amount,
you then have up to 15 years to repay it to
your RRSP. You are required to start your
repayments the second year following the
year you made your withdrawals. Normally
you are required each year to repay an
amount that is equal to 1/15 of the total
amount you withdrew. There is no tax lia-
bility personally incurred when you make
this minimum payment back to your RRSP
(at least not from the HBP).
Since your earnings normally increase as
the years go by, it is important to try and
pay back the amount you borrowed as
quickly as possible. This gives you the po-
tential to get a higher tax deduction for your
RRSP contributions in your higher earning
years, as well as allowing for more years of
tax sheltered growth while the money is in
your RRSP.
For those interested, a more in-depth re-
view of the program can be found by visit-
ing CCRA’s website at: www.cra-arc.gc.ca,
or by calling 1-800-267-1267
For more information contact Rudy Locha,
President and Broker for Anava Financing
Inc. He can be reached directly at
416-410- 7501 or by e-mail at
anava@rogers.com
Indo-Caribbean Times
Supercharge Canadians hold Canadian house
your wealth record debt
creation strategy averaging $80,000 per household, says the rises set to slow
Canadians are juggling record debt loads
By Vic Sarju
Most people rely on an investment strat-
egy as one of the keys to achieving finan-
cial freedom one day. But for many people,
‘one day’ is in the distant future. Some in-
vestors who wish to bring financial freedom
a bit closer are looking to less traditional in-
vestment strategies that allow their savings
to work harder for them. That’s why I want
to share a new twist on an old adage: The
best things in life aren’t always free, they’re
borrowed.
Borrowing money to invest is a strategy
that can help to accelerate your investment
growth, compared to a traditional wealth
creation strategy. A borrow to invest strat-
egy is exactly as it sounds. You borrow
money, buy investments, pay the applicable
interest and taxes, and keep what’s left over
after the loan is repaid. What makes this
strategy so attractive? Two things:
1.Compound Returns. An investment
loan allows you to make a large lump-sum
investment today. This allows a larger
amount to work for you for a much longer
period of time. For example, assuming a
9% long-term rate of return, a $10,000
lump sum deposit would grow to $23,674
in 10 years. However, an investment of
$1,000 at the start of each year for 10 years
would grow to only $16,560 in the same 10
years. This is the power of compound re-
turns.
2.Interest Deductibility. In most cases,
the interest you pay on an investment loan
is tax deductible, which can significantly
reduce the rate of return your investment
needs to earn to make this strategy prof-
itable. In general the ‘break even’ rate of re-
turn you need to achieve on your
investment (the rate of return at which
you’re better off borrowing to invest), is
lower than the interest rate you’re paying
on the loan!
Does this sound too good to be true? It
isn’t!
If this concept sounds intriguing, I’d like
to explain to you how an investment loan
can improve your long-term investment
growth potential. It’s an exciting opportu-
nity and I encourage you to ask many ques-
tions. If you find this information too
intriguing to wait, please call my office im-
mediately and we’ll meet at your earliest
convenience to discuss the suitability of this
strategy for your own situation. Remember:
The best things in life aren’t always free,
they’re borrowed.
P.S. In our meeting I will stress that bor-
rowing to invest is not for everyone. It is
only recommended if you are willing to
take on some additional risk and are finan-
cially able to meet your loan payment obli-
gations and pay taxes on any gains.
Using borrowed money to finance the
purchase of securities involves greater risk
than a purchase using cash resources only.
If you borrow money to purchase securities,
your responsibility to repay the loan and
pay interest as required by its terms remains
the same even if the value of the securities
purchases declines.
Vic Sarju is an Investment Advisor with
Berkshire Securities Inc. Member CIPF. Vic
can be reached at Tel: 416-686-6127; Toll
Free: 1 888 686-6127. The opinions ex-
pressed are those of the author and may not
necessarily be those of Berkshire Securities
Inc.
FEBRUARY 2008 Page 10
building, price
author of a new report who warns job losses
would push many families over a fiscal
cliff. Housing starts will fall by about seven
per cent this year but will remain strong as
"If we do have a recession, we wouldn't
2008 should be the seventh straight year
be as badly off as the U.S.," says Roger
with starts above 200,000 units, Canada
Sauve, a consultant who wrote "The Cur-
Mortgage and Housing Corp. has pre-
rent State of Canadian Family Finances" re-
dicted..
leased Monday. "But a lot of households
The federal housing agency said it ex-
couldn't keep up."
pects 211,700 housing starts this year, off
The report describes a perfect storm of
from 228,343 in 2007.
flat earnings, increased spending and plum-
"Despite some global financial instabil-
meting savings. It comes as an economic
ity with regards to the U.S. housing market,
slow-down in the U.S. spurs concern over a
Canada continues to experience robust em-
full-blown American recession and possi-
ployment levels, ongoing income gains and
ble fallout north of the border.
low mortgage rates," Bob Dugan, chief
Total accumulated debt was 131 per cent
economist for CMHC, said in a statement.
of Canadian household income last year
This has strongly supported Canada's hous-
after income tax and transfers such as child
ing markets, he said.
benefits. That's up from 91 per cent in 1990,
"However, housing starts are expected to
Sauve says.
decrease in 2008 mainly due to recent in-
Many consumers borrowed cash at lower
creases in house prices, which will push
interest rates to buy more expensive homes
mortgage carrying costs higher for home
as real estate prices steadily rise. But many
buyers."
Canadians, especially those earning net
Existing home sales, as measured by the
middle incomes of about $60,000 a year,
Multiple Listing Service, are expected to
have racked up credit-card debt that's al-
fall by 3.9 per cent to 499,650 units in 2008,
most doubled since 1990 to $22,500 from
while 2009 will see an additional decrease
$12,000 on average, Sauve says.
to 488,300.
"They've continued spending with more
Last year, such sales increased by 7.6 per
debt and less savings."
cent over 2006 to about 520,000 units.
Most households socked away $1,000 in
As most resale markets move toward
savings last year, compared to an average
more balanced conditions, growth in the av-
of $7,500 in 1990, says the report.
erage MLS price is forecast to slow to 5.2
Plan to curb US
per cent in 2008 and 3.8 per cent in 2009.
housing foreclosures $1b for Canadian
small towns
The United States is trying to limit the ef-
fort of the housing crisis by a plan for
lenders to help homeowners by temporar-
OTTAWA–After coming under heavy
ily suspending foreclosures for people fac-
criticism, the Harper government now is
ing the imminent loss of a home.
promising immediate help for struggling
one-industry towns.
The Bush admininistration proposal is
Federal sources say the Tories will table
aimed at delinquent homeowners whose
a motion today calling on Parliament to
mortgages are 90 days or more past due.
fast-track approval of the $1-billion com-
Called Project Lifeline, it will will allow
munity development fund they announced
overdue homeowners to suspend foreclo-
last month.
sures for 30 days while they try to work out
The government previously said the fund
more affordable terms with lenders.
would only go forward if the opposition
The plan initially will involve six of the
passed the federal budget.
largest mortgage lenders -- Bank of Amer-
The promise to help struggling commu-
ica Corp., Citigroup Inc., Countrywide Fi-
nities only if the budget passed was criti-
nancial Corp., JPMorgan Chase & Co.,
cized as heavy-handed. Provincial premiers
Washington Mutual Inc. and Wells Fargo &
not only blasted the political tactic, but also
Co.
called the promised sum insufficient.
The motion will be tabled this and will
The plan builds on progress begun by the
require the unanimous consent of all parties
administration's Hope Now Alliance, which
to go forward. The NDP promptly offered
involves freezing the interest rates of bor-
its support.
rowers with adjustable rate mortgages.
If the motion passes, the government
would quickly table a bill authorizing $1
The program announced last week it had
billion in spending – even before the fed-
helped about 545,000 subprime borrowers
eral budget.
and 324,000 prime borrowers in the second
half of 2007.
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SAY IT IN PICTURES Indo-Caribbean Times FEBRUARY 2008 Page 12

More pictures we never wanted to see: Two of the five youths killed, a young girl and a young man lie dead after being cut down in their beds at Lusignan, Guyana.

Trinidad Chutney Soca Monarch Rooplal Girdharrie belts out his song accompanied by Rolling tassa drums from the Caribbean liven up the air at the United States
elaborately dressed dancers, on the way to taking the $200, 000 top prize again. Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

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 Indo-Caribbean Times FEBRUARY 2008 Page 13

Toronto based Gulcharan Mohabir (left) visits with Swami Ashkarananda during a Members of the Trinidad & Tobago Students Federation at York University had a ball at
recent visit to Guyana. He is one of a group of Caribbean Canadians supporting the the Multicultural Week Parade on Carnival Monday and won the club award too. The
Saraswati Vidya Niketan Hindu School at Cornelia Ida, West Coast Guyana. vibrant group has a membership of over 200 students with Trinidadian connections.

Pundit Mani Ramoutar offers Hindu prayers at the Multi-Faith Prayer Service and Tribute in Memory of the Victims of the Lusignan mMassacre held in Toronto on February 10
at the Radisson Hotel . A large multi ethnic crowd of Caribbean and Canadian sympathisers turned up for the forum organized by the Association of Concerned Guyanese, includ-
ing representatives of several religions faiths. and Guyana Consul General in Toronto Danny Doobay. Over 40 Canadian organizations supported the tribute, including the Guyana
Current Newspaper, Peel Guyanese Association, Indo-Caribbean Golden Age Association, Guyana Canada Chamber of Commerce, Canadian Caribbean Business Council, Chandi
Singh Secondary School Alumni Association, Bush Lot Secondary School Alumni Association, Canadian Hindu Federation, Guyana Christian Charities , International Muslim Or-
ganization, Ram Mandir, Shabnam Radio, Pranav Hindu Mandir, Enterprise Support Group, Guyanese Canadian Cultural Association, West Demerera Association, Enmore Associ-
ation, Annandale Secondary School Alumni, Dulha-Dulhan Expo, University of Guyana Guild of Graduates, Guyana Berbice Association, and several others.

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COMMUNITY NEWS
Family Fair
North American Muslim Federation,a
non profit organization based in Toronto, is
calling on Ontarians to enjoy the Family
Day holiday, on Monday, Feb 18th 2008,
with quality time devoted to their families.
NAMF has organized a Family Fair on
that day, open to all and free of charge so
families who wish to enjoy themselves in-
doors and closer to home may do so with
love and respect. The family is being af-
fected more these days with the growing
demands on parents’ time. Attractions at
the Fair includes International Food, an Is-
lamic Art Exhibition, Fashion show, cloth-
ing, toys, books, jewellery, henna and face
painting, and a full day of fun and activities
for the whole family. .
The Honourable Bas Balkissoon, MP, is
slated to visit during the day as well the Ho-
nourable Councillor Chin Lee.
The event will be held at 4140 Finch Ave
E Scarborough, ON, M1S 3T9. It begins at
11.00 a.m. and continues until 9.00 p.m.
Admission is free.
“Families need a break from the winter
blues, inasmuch they need a nearby activity
where they can all participate at an afford-
able cost”, says the Executive Director of
this newly expanded organization, Farooq
Khan
“Respect of each others culture is crucial
when entertainment and family are con-
cerned”, says Habeeb Alli, Communica-
tions Coordinator of this federally
incorporated body. “We call upon all agen-
cies and families to support this initiative
and I hope you really do have a good time”,
he added.
Call Habeeb Alli, at Tel: 416 823 1738 or
Email: halli@namf.ca
Kamla’s Fashions Inc.
Massive clearance sale continues in the factory outlet (same location)
Youth T-Shirts and Tank Tops - $2.00 each
Adult Tee-Shirts in a variety of sizes and colours - $2.00
Wide variety of transfers/screen prints – Babies, Children, Humour, Christmas, topical,
geographical/Souvenir from 50 cents.
Indo-Caribbean Times FEBRUARY 2008 Page 15
Valentine Dinner & Dance
Island Grove Restaurant holds its Valentine
Dance February 16 starting at 8.00 p.m, at
4525 Ebenezer Road, Unit 8, Brampton
(Gore Plaza). The event includes a buffet
dinner and a special DJ. Call 905-913-1200
for info.
Valentine Week Dances
Northern Tropics Restaurant holds four
days of romantic Valentine Week dances
on Thursday February . 14, Friday Febru-
ary 15, Saturday February 16, Sunday Feb-
ruary 17, and possibly Monday February
18 (dependent on weather) at 880
Ellesmere Road, Unit 202 in Scarborough,
starting at 8.00 pm each evening.
Moustache cost him his job
Caribbean and Canadian cuisine are avail-
abe and a fully stocked bar. For info call
416-754-8767 or 416-839-9275.
BHAGVAD GITA FOR EACH HOME This Indian airline steward loved his elaborate family tradition moustache, but
not his employer. He was dismissed for keeping the soup strainer because air-
Bulk distribution centres. line management felt it was not presentable. He is appealing.
The Gita can be available in bulk at the fol-
lowing contacts: Donations are expected to
fund further copies; any individual or or-
ganization wishing to assist in this project
can contact us.
CANADA
Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton
Ramnarine Sahadeo 905 671 9233 e-mail
ramjihindu@rogers.com, Omesh Sharma
Omesh@flexomark.com, Chandan
Persaud at 416-754-2382, Gulcharan at
416 481-5777 gmohabir@hotmail.com,
Ram Jagessar at 416 289 9088 or
ram@eol.ca
RICHMOND HILL
Omo Persaud at omo@globalspectru-
minc.com 905-886-1724 Miss India USA 2007 Richa Gangopadhya (centre) being congratulated by
first runners-up Neha Multani (right) and Nisha Palvia after winning the title
Winnipeg: at 26th annual beauty pageant in New Jersey.
Ajodhya Mahadeo 204-661-6643
British Columbia
Chameli Seegobin 604-945-9510, e-mail
address maylee34@hotmail.com, and
Naraine Mohabir at 604-274-8938
Wholesale
GUYANA: Saraswati VidyaGarment
2760013/14
Niketan ph. Manufacturer
1510 Birchmont Road
Units 106 & 107
Scarborough, Ontario M1P 2G6
Phone: (416) 913-2379 Fax: (416) 752-1105
e-mail: KamlasFashion@gmail.com
We accept orders from schools, clubs and organizations
Fill your barrels to send back home
Adult Golf Shirts $5.00
Ladies Leggings and Capri Pants $3.00
Children’s Clothing from $2.00 each
Wide range of Winter Clothing on Sale
Scrap for cleaning - $5.00 a bag
How to avoid cancer
HEALTH AND FASHION
Cancer Update from John Hopkins:
Every person has cancer cells in the body.
These cancer cells do not show up in the
standard tests until they have multiplied to
a few billion. When doctors tell cancer pa-
tients that there are no more cancer cells in
their bodies after treatment, it just means
the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells
because they have not reached the de-
tectable size.
Cancer cells occur between 6 to more
than 10 times in a person's lifetime.
When the person's immune system is
strong the cancer cells will be destroyed
and prevented from multiplying and form-
ing tumors.
When a person has cancer it indicates
the person has multiple nutritional defi-
ciencies. These could be due to genetic, en-
vironmental, food and lifestyle factors.
To overcome the multiple nutritional ef-
ficiencies, changing diet and including sup-
plements will strengthen the immune
system.
Chemotherapy involves poisoning the
rapidly-growing cancer cells and also de-
stroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the
bone marrow, gastro-intestinal tract etc, and
can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys,
heart, lungs etc.
Radiation while destroying cancer cells
also burns, scars and damages healthy cells,
tissues and organs.
Initial treatment with chemotherapy and
radiation will often reduce tumor size.
However prolonged use of chemotherapy
and radiation do not result in more tumor
destruction.
When the body has too much toxic bur-
den from chemotherapy and radiation the
immune system is either compromised or
destroyed, hence the person can succumb to
various kinds of infections and complica-
tions.
Chemotherapy and radiation can cause
cancer cells to mutate and become resistant
and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also
cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.
An effective way to battle cancer is to
starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with
the foods it needs to multiply.
Cancer cells feed on:
Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off
sugar it cuts off one important food supply
to the cancer cells. Sugar substitutes like
Nutra Sweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc are made
with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better
natural substitute would be Manuka honey
or molasses but only in very small amounts.
Table salt has a chemical added to make it
white in color. Better alternative is Bragg's
amino or sea salt.
Milk causes the body to produce mucus,
especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Can-
cer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and
substituting with unsweetened soy milk
cancer cells are being starved.
Cancer cells thrive in an acid environ-
ment . A meat-based diet is acidic and it is
best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather
than beef or pork. Meat also contains live-
stock antibiotics, growth hormones and par-
asites, which are all harmful, especially to
people with cancer.
A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and
juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little
fruits help put the body into an alkaline en-
vironment. About 20% can be from cooked
food including beans. Fresh vegetable
juices provide live enzymes that are easily
absorbed and reach down to cellular levels
within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance
Indo-Caribbean Times
growth of healthy cells. To obtain live en-
zymes for building healthy cells try and
drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables
including bean sprouts) and eat some raw
vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are
destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F
(40 degrees C).
Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which
have high caffeine. Green tea is a better al-
ternative and has cancer-fighting properties.
Water- best to drink purified water, or fil-
tered, to avoid known toxins and heavy
metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic,
avoid it.
Meat protein is difficult to digest and re-
quires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undi-
gested meat remaining in the intestines
become putrefied and leads to more toxic
buildup.
Cancer cell walls have a tough protein
covering. By refraining from or eating less
meat it frees more enzymes to attack the
protein walls of cancer cells and allows the
body's killer cells to destroy the cancer
cells.
Some supplements build up the immune
system (IP6, Florescence, Essiac, anti-oxi-
dants, vitamins, minerals, EFA's etc.) to en-
able the body's own killer cells to destroy
cancer cells. Other supplements like vita-
min E are known to cause apostasies, or
programmed cell death, the body's normal
method of disposing of damaged, un-
wanted, or unneeded cells.
Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and
spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will
help the cancer warrior be a survivor.
Anger, unforgive-ness and bitterness put the
body into a stressful and acidic environ-
ment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving
spirit . Learn to relax and enjoy life.
Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxy-
genated environment. Exercising daily, and
deep breathing help to get more oxygen
down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy
is another means employed to destroy can-
cer cells.
Plastic warning
1. No plastic containers in micro.
2. No water bottles in freezer.
3. No plastic wrap in microwave. Dioxin
chemicals causes cancer, especially breast
cancer. Dioxins are highly pois- onous to
the cells of our bodies. Don't freeze your
plastic bottles with water in them as this re-
leases dioxins from the plastic.
We should not be heating our food in the
microwave using plastic containers. This
especially applies to foods that contain in
fat.
The combination of fat, high heat, and
plastics releases dioxin into the food and ul-
timately into the cells of the body.
Instead use glass, such as Corning Ware,
Pyrex or ceramic containers for heating
food. You get the same results, only without
the dioxin. So such things as TV dinners,
instant ramen and soups, etc., should be re-
moved from the container and heated in
something else.
Paper isn't bad but you don't know what
is in the paper. It's just safer to use tempered
glass, Corning Ware, etc. A while ago some
of the fast food restaurants moved away
from the foam containers to paper. The
dioxin problem is one of the reasons. Plas-
tic wrap, such as Saran, is just as dangerous
when placed over foods to be cooked in the
microwave. As the food is nuked, the high
heat causes poisonous us toxins to actually
melt out of the plastic wrap and into the
food. Cover food with a paper towel in-
stead.
FEBRUARY 2008 Page 16
RECIPE
Deviled eggs - hot
No more Spice
Girls reunions
Cooking time Oven temperature
30 minutes 350 degrees F.
INGREDIENTS:
1 medium onion
Don't hold your breath waiting for the next
1/4 cup butter or margarine
Spice Girls reunion. Geri Halliwell, a.k.a.
1/2 teaspoon prepared mustard
Ginger Spice, said a second outing "proba-
1 teaspoon curry powder
bly won't happen ever again." The quintet's
Seasoning
Return of the Spice Girls World Tour wraps
8 hard-cooked eggs.
February 26 in Toronto.
SAUCE:
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
"This is the last time you will ever get to
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
see this Girl Power, the five Spices on the
1/2 - l teaspoon curry powder
stage as one," said Halliwell, who left the
1 1/4 cups milk
group in May 1998 but was a chief propo-
few drops Worcestershire sauce
nent of the current reunion.
Seasoning.
That said, Halliwell told Billboard.com that
TOPPING:
she would not entirely shut the door on a bit
2/3 cup fine fresh bread crumbs
more Spice if fans really, really want it.
2 tablespoons butter or margarine.
"What this reunion taught me is you can
Chop the onion very finely, then saute in the
never say never," she said. "If you had
hot butter or margarine, stir in the mustard,
asked me 10 years ago whether there'd ever
curry powder, and seasoning. Cut the eggs
be a Spice Girls reunion concert, I'd have
in half lengthwise, remove the yolks, chop,
gone, 'No way!"'
and blend with the onion mixture, pack into
whites, put cut side downward in a long
Halliwell said the reunion was "an experi-
shallow ovenproof dish. Make a sauce of
ence of a lifetime," and denied reports that
the butter, flour blended with the curry
it was coming to a premature end because
powder, milk, and Worcestershire sauce,
of infighting among the five Spices.
taste and season well. Pour over the eggs -
do this carefully so they are not disturbed
in the dish. Top with the crumbs and butter
or margarine - in tiny pieces - and bake for
approximately 15 - 20 minutes in a pre-
heated 350°F. oven until the top is crisp and
brown, or if preferred put under a hot
broiler. Serves 4.
For a Safe, Green & Friendly Community
CHANDRA KUMARAN
Your new voice for change.
Ajax as community of first choice
Advocate for: Your new voice to
 More green spaces.
 Improve safety,
Conservation areas.  Reduce crime.
 Recycling and better waste  Control speeding.
management  Improve traffic management.
Energy saving.
Reduction of carbon dioxide Inform you on how:
emissions.
 To access free, affordable
Improvement and expansion community funded
of library facilities. programs & grants.
Access to all Durham Library
Manage:
facilities for Ajax residents.
 Increased sports and
recreation facilities,  Your tax dollars more smartly,
Improved services offered by thereby keeping your taxes
the City, to a minimum
 Visual & performing arts
affordable by all.
(905) 239-4222 or (905) 686-9282
Email mchandra@rogers.com
www.chandra4ajax.com
RELIGION
MEMORIES OF LUNCH AT BUSH LOT BERBICE Hindi gets a
T Hindu schools
By Ram Sahadeo
here are at least three villages in
Guyana named Bush Lot. I am sure
that they all have thick tropical veg-
etation to fit the description. However I
doubt whether the former or the current
President of the USA owned any of them.
This article refers to the Bush Lot located
at on the West Coast of Berbice, located just
over 50 miles from Georgetown.
I was visiting Guyana when Saraswati
Vidya Niketan, the secondary Hindu School
at Cornelia Ida, W.C.D.was being con-
structed and in need of funds. The vision-
ary Swami Aksharananda was also showing
me parts of the country inhabited mostly by
Hindus. It was an exceptional learning ex-
perience even for someone who was born
in this land of many waters, and religions.
We were on our way to D’Edward village to
visit Kumkarran Rampersaud (Rudy) and
his wife Nirwattie, a particularly special
couple. We had traveled that way before
and always had the best of hospitality: a
bedroom for each of us, any amount of veg-
etable dishes and spice mangoes that prob-
ably originated from Kerela, India.
Rudy was badly in need of a kidney and
his life partner was donating one of hers in
order to give him a new lease of life. The
operation however had to take place at NU
Hospital in Bangalore, India. We went to
see them off with all their good Karma ac-
companying them on their first trip to
BHARAT, the land of their ancestors.
We stopped at Bush Lot on the way as
Swami wanted to expose me to an example
of BHAKTI. She was in her late sixties
lived alone in a house that she and late hus-
band struggled to build. Her children and
grandchildren were living in USA but she
confessed that she cannot live in a country
where ice falls from the sky, hassa (cas-
cadura to my Trinidadian bhais) and
chicken comes out of a fridge; where peo-
ple in the same house hardly talk to each
other and do not even know the neighbours.
She liked to attend the mandir that was built
about 40 years ago and replaced the original
wooden structure of the early part of 1900.
She wanted to talk to her neighbours at the
bottom of her house daily, die where she
was born and have her body cremated with
real fire.
The fence that separated her yard from
the public road was covered with thick
green foliage Since I became a Bengali
vegetarian I developed a keen eye for veg-
etables and one of my favorites was ban
kariela (tiny bitter melons) My body lan-
guage and my futile attempt to count the
karielas must have exposed my need for
sustenance.
Will you and your Canadian friend stay
for lunch she asked Swami?
We were back within an hour. Dhal and
kariela was hot and ready but she waited for
us to arrive to complete the last dish,
Paratha roti.
As Swami discussed with her the chal-
lenges facing Hindus in the country and
particularly in Berbice I observed the tools
of her trade: CHULHA, POOKNEY,
BELNA, CHIMTA, TAWAH, and SIFTA,
all neatly stored under the zinc extension at
the bottom of house. A shower had soaked
portions of the ground next to the fireside
but the smoke did not stop her from per-
forming her duty to her two guests. My
greatest concern was that while she was
talking to Swami, she was also watching at
him and not at the roti. She was throwing
it up in the air as if she did not care whether
Indo-Caribbean Times
Saraswati Vidya Niketan Hindu school at Cornelia Ida, West Coast Guyana
it came down back or not and my heart
missed a beat each time the rote almost
reached her clapping hands. If it fell on the
muddy ground she would have to start all
over again and my stomach was already
making some noises and carrying on its
own conversation. I recalled my cricket
days when I was a slip fielder and contem-
plated using my diving skills if that roti
slipped past her hand. My anxiety was ill
founded. With her years of practice her
hands seemed to have eyes W were eating
in minutes. Lunch was fresh, tasty, nour-
ishing, pleasant, digestible and best of all
we did not have to kill any animals or upset
the balance of nature just to have our fill.
Dessert was a fresh large juicy watermelon
given to us by another devotee along the
way. Pizza, hamburger and fast food lovers
eat your heart out.
These trips had convinced me of at least
one axiom. Once I was with Swami I will
never starve, or have to rent a hotel room.
This kind of hospitality was part of a cul-
ture that arrived in Guyana since May 5,
1838 when indentured Servants landed
aboard the Whitby and the Hesperus. My
own view however is that times have
changed and that Hindus, as a whole did not
pay keen attention to formal religious edu-
cation in a classroom of the kind experi-
enced when the late Swami Purnanandaji
established Cove and John College.
A Canadian Chapter, of the BUSH LOT
SANATAN DHARMA VISHNU
MANDIR is trying to raise funds to com-
plete a VEDANTA ACADEMY on the
premises. This is an indication that Hindus
are beginning to realize that in order to pre-
serve their culture, their language, history,
music, philosophy must all be taught in Pri-
vate Institutions in order to correct the em-
phasis that the national curriculum had
placed on Western values.
Secondly, the standards of the public ed-
ucational system have dropped significantly
compared to the sixties and there are too
many of Hindu parentage with literacy
problems and who know little or nothing
about the world’s first great religion. Teach-
ing can no longer be done by word of
mouth at bottom houses . Hopefully those
who reside outside Guyana can occasion-
ally pool their resources to initiate con-
struction and operation of other Hindu
Learning Centers. Minds must first be de-
veloped if the young are going to be suc-
cessful and independent. They can then set
higher standards and contribute to the
progress of the nation as a whole.
Many who have helped the schools they
attended, as children are not hesitating to
assist for they know the value of a well-
rounded education. Bath Settlement native
Trevor Subryan already donated 600 Gitas
and these will hopefully be distributed
around Bush Lot during Holi .Other Hindu
stalwarts like Omesh Sharma from far away
as Leguan, and Roy Singh, can always be
counted upon once the residents from Bush
Lot provide the initiative and accountabil-
FEBRUARY 2008
ity. The energy, cooperation and organiza-
tion evident at their meetings inspire even
the cynical.
Some have recognized that knowledge is
an appropriate gift for any occasion from
birthdays, weddings, to funerals and have
donated Gitas so that each person who at-
tends the fundraising dinner on March 15,
at 6.00 pm at Malton Community Center
905 615 4640 will get one free. Attendees
will also learn some history of the village.
For tickets call Dave 416 663 4037; Ramraj
416 292 5650 Roy 905 487 0940.
WARNING: SEATING IS LIMITED SO
GET YOUR TICKETS AND COME
EARLY.
Visit www.bushlotmandir.com to find
out how you can support the cause and for
information on this and some of the other
Private Hindu learning centers in Guyana
Want GITAS for distribution: In Canada
contact ramjihindu@rogers.com.
In Guyana contact
Yogi breaks own
swami_aksharananda@hotmail.comA
record for ice
immersion
A man who calls himself a "tantric master"
has broken his own world record by stand-
ing in ice for 72 minutes. The 48-year-old
Wim Hof stood on a Manhattan street in a
clear container filled with ice for an hour
and 12 minutes jon January 26. He set the
world record for full body ice contact en-
durance in 2004, when he immersed him-
self in ice for one hour and eight minutes.
Hof says he survives by controlling his
body temperature with the tantric practice
of tumo.
Page 17
boost in TT
Sat Maharaj
Hindi is getting a fillip in Trinidad and To-
bago, where around 23 per cent of the mil-
lion population is of Indian extraction but
only about five per cent of them speak the
language fluently.
Satnarayan Maharaj, secretary general of
Trinidad and Tobago's Sanatan Dharma
Maha Sabha (SDMS), a major Hindu or-
ganisation, has announced that his organi-
sation has developed a Hindi curriculum to
be used in its 60 primary and secondary in-
stitutions.
"We have also developed Hindi cards in
order to give the boost that Hindi needs in
Trinidad and Tobago," he said at the annual
World Hindi Day celebrations here. Ma-
haraj said the SDMS would put all its re-
sources into enhancing the teaching of
Hindi. Maharaj pointed out that in its 175
'mandirs' or temples scattered across the
country, Hindi is used in all its prayers with
interpretations.
"Every morning, there is a half-an-hour
prayer service in Hindi, which is another
method used to propagate the learning of
Hindi in Trinidad and Tobago and the most
convenient channel is through the schools,"
Maharaj noted. Hindi was brought into the
Caribbean in 1838 when the first batch of
indentured labourers, principally from Uttar
Pradesh and Bihar, came here to work on
the sugar plantations following the freedom
of African slaves.
Hindi is not too commonly used since the
older Indian generation has died, and the
younger generation seeks refuge in English.
Even the sacred religious Hindu texts, like
the Ramayana, Gita, Upanishads, Mahab-
harata among several others, are now avail-
able in English. Most Hindu prayers or
religious services are conducted in English,
with some references in Hindi.
YOUTH Indo-Caribbean Times FEBRUARY 2008 Page 18
Africentric schools
aim at wrong target How did the cow get
Dear Editor, into the car?
I have the feeling that all this debate Thieves in Malaysia stole a cow, squeezed
about Africentric schools to solve black it into the back seat of a car and drove off
student problems is shooting at the wrong with it but abandoned the animal when the
target. From my many years teaching in getaway vehicle crashed into a tree. The
Toronto I find that the problems and the so- cow ws injured in the crash and had to be
lutions have little to do with African cul- put down. It's not clear how they did it, but
ture.or with African students. The problem the thieves managed to push the cow into
students are mostly Afro-Caribbean blacks, the back of a mid-sized sedan and drove
especially Jamaican. I notice too that most off. They were spotted by villagers who
of those arguing for or against the Africen- gave chase, causing the driver to lose con-
tric schools were also Afro-Caribbean trol and crash into a tree. The thieves es-
blacks. caped.
I believe the problems with the Caribbean

Jamaican kids skip

black students are mainly home problems
and attitude problems, not school problems.

school for pot farming

Too many of them are not motivated to
study, have poor learning attitudes and they
give up too easily when facing challenges.
They tend to be poor at problem solving
and don't put out the necessary effort. I
don't know how putting them in an Afri-
centric school will help with those prob-
lems. Students have to bring learning
attitudes and motivation to school with
them. We teachers are not there to teach
them learning attitudes and motivation.but
maths and science and English.
In comparison, I find that Indo-Caribbean
students don't generally have the same
problems in school as the Caribbean black
students. Chinese Caribbean students and
white Caribbean students don't share the
same school problems as the black
The Trinidad and Tobago Federation at Yorkt University in Toronto was very busy last
week taking part in every activity available. The 200 member group, headed by Natasha
Nankissoor (extreme right in picture above), won the DJ Battle and got an award for most Scores of children - some from very poor
outstanding club for the Multicultural Week DJ World Cup. They also participated in The families - across Western Jamaica are being
Multicultural Week Parade and Fashion show, which took place on Carnival Monday., lured out of school to work in ganja fields,
with appropriate Carnival with costumes. And they were part of the Food Fair, DJ Battle, helping with the mass production of the
Global Village and Stage Performances. narcotic drug for export.
The increase in ganja production over the
past six years has kept Jamaica on the
United States' 'blacklist' as one of the major
drug-producing countries.
"We have seen evidence to suggest that
children are helping in the cultivation of the
drug," head of the Narcotics Division, Sen-
ior Superintendent Carlton Wilson said to
local media.

It pays to
Caribbean students either. Somebody in the
school board should investigate this situa-

advertise in the
tion before we spend more time and money
throwing an Africentric school at a problem

Indo-Caribbean
that may not be a school related problem at
all.

J. Rohit Times
Toronto

Some questions on the Protesters call for

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residents oppose Africentric schools?
INDIANS IN THE CARIBBEAN
Lusignan attacks threaten stability in Guyana
LUSIGNAN MASSACRE Bharath blames No negotiation
Buxton for
Continued from Page 1
woman pregnant in the last year yet police Lusignan murder
Fineman can move about freely and get
say they cannot located him in such a small
society. A January 26 rampage by several gun-
He is suspected to have a hand in the as-
sassination two years ago of serving gov-
ernment minister Sat Sawh. Like the
Lusignan massacre, Sawh's murder was a
deliberate challenge to the PPP govern-
ment. The government did not solve the
Sawh murder, and has appeared to be weak
on crime. This time it is not likely that
Indo-Guyanese will accept a long period of
failure to apprehend the killers. Even in this
short time it's obvious that that the Lusig-
nan killers have achieved some of their
probably aims- weakening the position of
the PPP government. Jagdeo now looks
more and more like a man who can win
elections but cannot government effectively
when it comes to security.
The Lusignan murders will have an im-
mediate effect of slowing down the return
of foreign based Indo-Guyanese to rebuild
the country. They may also speed up the the
departure of Guyana Indians to safer
countries abroad. Any reduction of the In-
dian population plays into the game of the
PNC to regain power by any means possi-
ble. There are only 20,000 more Indian vot-
ers than black voters in Guyana. Reduction
of Indian numbers could bring the PNC
closer to a point where they have the nu-
merical superiority the PPP now enjoys,
and can win the government by means of e
a fair election.
The PPP does not have many options
open to them. Instead of calling for peace
they should be calling for justice for the
murdered Lusignan villagers and others at-
tacked by black criminals. They are un-
willing or unable to get their security forces
to hunt down people like the Lusignan
killers. They have not moved to balance the
armed forces with large numbers of Indians
or to create a security force composed of
people who will be willing to hunt down
the black criminal gangs. They cannot ne-
gotiate with people who are killing PPP
supporters. They do not want to share
power with the PNC who can presumably
control the black criminal gangs. There is
also a possibility that the Lusignan killers
are rogue criminals gone berserk, who can-
not be controlled by anybody.
Jagdeo may have no other choice than to
appeal for international help to hunt down
and destroy the Lusignan killers and other
similar gangs in Guyana. He turned down
such help after the death of his minister
Sawh, and said Guyana security forces
could handle the matters. Clearly they did-
n't do that. Nothing is wrong with admitting
inability to handle a problem and calling for
help.
Fineman and his gang have thrown down
a direct challenge to President Jagdeo by at-
tacking the army, police and his Indian sup-
porters. They are daring him to make his
move and show that he has power. He can-
not afford to do nothing as happened after
the Sawh assassination.
Lusignan could well be a “last straw” for
Indians in Guyana, prompting another exo-
dus from the country. Or it may create In-
dian vigilantes who will take the law into
their own hands to guarantee their own se-
curity, which seems to be happening in
nearby Trinidad.
with criminals,
says gov’t
men in the East Coast village of Lusignan 6,
which left 11 persons dead, had security
forces looking for the country’s most
wanted man, while at the same time battling
angry residents whose protests ground the
East Coast corridor to a standstill.
Police ini-
tially have
made a $30M
offer (later
raised to $50
million) for
information
leading to ar-
rest of the
country’s
most wanted
man - Rondell
‘Fine Man’
Rawlins,
while not say-
ing directly
that he was
connected to the slayings
.Rawlins is believed to be behind the at-
tack on Police headquarters at Eve Leary,
which left two junior Police officers
wounded. Apart from numerous murders,
he is also wanted for the assassination of
Minister of Agriculture Satyadeow Sawh,
who was slain with two of his siblings in
April, 2006.
President Jagdeo declared at a press
briefing that the criminals who stormed the
Lusignan homes came from Buxton, long
believed to be a safe haven for armed, dan-
gerous criminals.The incident is being de-
scribed as the worst mass slaying in
Guyana’s recent history, and as news
spread, it occupied the main headlines of
the world’s leading news agencies.
The gunmen took control of “Track A”
Lusignan, some 10 miles east of the capital
Georgetown, at about 2:00 am, and main-
tained rapid gunfire for about 20 minutes
during which they stormed five homes and
killed 11 persons, including five children.
Dead are: Claren Thomas, 48; Vanessa
Thomas 12; Ron Thomas, 11; Mohandan
Goordat, 32; Seegopaul Harilall, 10; See-
gobin Harilall,4; Dhanwajie Ramsingh,52;
Seecharran Rooplall, 56; Raywattie Rams-
ingh, 11; Shazam Mohammed, 22; Shaleem
Baksh, 52.
Protests started immediately. From Mon
Repos, just a mile off Lusignan, residents
offloaded a truckload of sand at the railway
embankment, and tires were set alight, pre-
venting traffic from flowing either way.
On the main road, residents placed pile
upon pile of debris and set it alight, forcing
those who desperately wanted to pass to use
the rail of the bridge.
Thick black smoked engulfed communi-
ties further down, as similar acts of protest
rippled through. Markets at Annandale and
Mon Repos, which usually draw hundreds
on Saturdays, were deserted
.In the afternoon, stores in Georgetown
closed early as the incident spread fear
across the country.
Indo-Caribbean Times FEBRUARY 2008 Page 19
Police tear gas
Lusignan marchers
Government has no intention of engaging
s in any dialogue with criminals, as sug-
gested by Jesuit priest Fr Malcolm Ro-
drigues, the AFC political party, political
activist Eusi Kwayana and others.
That’s the view from Head of the Presi-
dential Secretariat Dr
Roger Luncheon. He East Coast Demerara residents who tried
added that profes- to make a peaceful walk in single file from
sionals and others Lusignan to Georgetown the Friday morn-
with social status ing after the massacre had an unpleasant
were trying to make shock.
the issue one of so- Police advised them that it was illegal
cial discontent by re- since no permission for the march was
ferring to sought.Some of the residents, among them
discrimination and women, then decided to board mini buses
marginalisation as to travel to the city, but this move was
being the root cause thwarted by the police who stopped the ve-
and politicising what hicles and reportedly removed several pro-
were purely criminal testors with placards.This did not deter the
intentions. protestors, who continued to proceed to the
Political activist city.
Eusi Kwayana, a They were, however, met at Triumph by
Buxtonian now residing in the USA, has a contingent of police ranks with riot gear
supported the Fr Rodrigues’ proposal for who blocked their path to the city and in-
talking to the criminals or their representa- formed them that the march was illegal.
tives, those labelled criminals, was "right They refused to disperse as ordered by the
on". Oliver Hinckson, a former soldier re- police and after 30 minutes police fired tear
cently pardoned by President Jagdeo for smoke canisters into the crowd. Several
treason, has offered to negotiate with the persons collapsed as a result of inhaling the
gunmen. fumes. At least four persons were treated at
AFC MP David Patterson has said the the hospital, while some were arrested.
AFC would support a dialogue with the
Zalika Baksh: How
criminals as the current approach was not
my husband died at
succeeding as it should; people continued
to lose their lives and livelihood.
Lusignan
He said the problems of discrimination
and marginalisation were being aired
openly in and around 1997/1998 in Buxton,
now described by the administration as a
Bibi Zalika Baksh, whose husband,
haven for criminals, and nothing concrete
Shalem, was killed, said that at around
was done to alleviate the grievances of the
02:00 hours they heard the shooting which,
people there. He believes that government
she said, started at a house two doors away.
failed to nip the problem in the bud and the
The woman said that the family was
situation was now bordering on insurgency
downstairs in the two-flat house, and by the
in a community which has been affected on
time they ran upstairs and secured them-
account of being stigmatised.
selves under a bed, the bandits, who she
The AFC, he said, has maintained that the
said appeared to be all over the place, began
root cause of the violence must be ad-
breaking down doors.
dressed even if it means talking to the crim-
According to Baksh, the men ordered the
inals to get to the bottom of it and to stop
family to open their door, but the family
future attacks to save innocent lives. "No
was too terrified to make another move.
ideas should be excluded," said Patterson,
Within seconds, their front louvre windows
even if it meant asking the criminals why
were shattered and some of the men en-
they became criminals in the first instance.
tered.“They pull out me husband from
Dr Luncheon rejected those arguments
under the bed and tell him, 'Give we de
and said if the dialogue was to tell the crim-
money and de jewellery',” Mrs. Baksh re-
inals to surrender and face the law that
called.She said that her husband begged the
would be appropriate.
men to spare his life but they shot him in
But if it was to engage in philosophical
cold blood.
approaches to crime and defence and
Baksh said that she and her daughter
counter defence for criminal events and ac-
were also under the bed from which her
tions, the proposal would have to be seen in
husband was pulled, but the bandits, in their
what would be parallels. In this instance, he
haste, did not see them.She explained that,
said there was no parallel.
before her husband was shot, she attempted
Dr Luncheon felt that those advocating
to come out from her hiding place to hand
the dialogue were taking the issue and put-
over whatever valuables the family had
ting it on par with what was taking place
with the hope of saving their lives.But her
with hostages and rebels in Colombia and
indecision probably saved her life and her
in other parts of the world, and this did not
14-year-old daughter's.
apply to Guyana.
She said that the gunmen went down-
stairs looking for the rest of the family, but
eventually left when they did not find them.
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
Guyana Schools Girdharrie wins
Drama Festival Chutney Soca
comes in April title and $1/4
The sixth Secondary Schools Drama Fes- million in prizes
tival is billed for April this year at the The-
atre Guild Playhouse which is now
undergoing extensive renovations.
According to a press release from the
Government Information Agency (GINA)
the event is open to all secondary schools,
including those from the private sector and
will present an opportunity for students to
showcase their talents at Guyana's hosting
of CARIFESTA X in August.
The festival is held every two years under
the aegis of the Ministry of Education.
The festival over the years has helped
many youths to realise their talent in the al-
lied arts. According to the Administrator of
the Unit of Allied Arts of the ministry, De-
siree Wyles-Ogle, this year's event will in-
clude performances based on myths,
legends, storytelling and social issues in so-
ciety. She noted that myths and legends as-
sociated with Guyanese culture will play a
focal part in the performances, since the
winners are expected to take part in CAR-
IFESTA X.
Minister within the Ministry of Educa-
tion, Dr. Desrey Fox has already spoken to
a number of secondary schools across the
country. She explained that the Playhouse,
which is at present being restored to its
original glory, is an ideal venue for the
event since it is an arena which supports
performances in schools and boosts aca-
demic learning.
Dramatic Performances has been added
to the Caribbean Secondary Education
Council's (CSEC) curriculum with the
Berbice Multilateral School being the first
beneficiary, performing well at the CSEC.
The fifth drama festival was held in 2006
with North Georgetown Secon-dary emerg-
ing the winner.
India’s Pink posse
delivers justice for
oppressed women
.If you're a man in the Banda district of
India who beats your wife, demands more
dowry, or otherwise mistreats women,
you'd better watch out. A posse of vigilante
women clad in pink saris may soon come
after you, and it's going to be ugly.
The "Gulabi Gang" (Pink Gang) uses
sticks (lathis) and cricket bats to "teach
erring men a lesson." In one instance, they
chased a woman's abusive, alcoholic hus-
band into a sugarcane field and sorely
thrashed him.
They also go after corrupt government
officials. Last year, they stormed a police
station after cops refused to register the case
of a low-caste man simply because of his
social standing.
This area of India, in the state of Uttar
Pradesh (the same state from which the late
"bandit queen" Phoolan Devi hailed), is no-
torious for its ill-treatment of women and
people of lower castes. Only 24 percent of
women can read (compared with 50 percent
of men), domestic violence is rampant, and
there are just 846 females per 1,000 males
(compared with the state's average of 879).
Bonded labor (a.k.a. slavery) is common,
lower-caste children face open discrimina-
tion at school, and government officials are
corrupt.
Indo-Caribbean Times JANUARY 2008 Page 20
In memory of the victims
of the Lusignan Massacre
On behalf of the Guyanese living in Canada and the many
friends of Guyana here, I would like to express profound sad-
ness on hearing of the deaths of the 11 innocent victims at
Lusignan. The authorities in Guyana must deliver stern and
immediate justice for these crimes and set up a new system
that will guarantee the security that all Guyanese deserve but do
not possess today. This incident must not go unpunished and
the security faults it exposed must not go unrepaired.
Second placed Ricki Jai gave his best Gulcharan Mohabir, Toronto
(Gulcharan Mohabir is a chartered accountant licensed to practice in
C
Canada and Guyana.)
hutney star and police officer Rooplal
Girdharrie made it a hat trick with his
third consecutive Chutney Soca Monarch
title at a San Fernando show just before
Carnival.
PHILLIP
He also took home a cool quarter million
TT dollars, which included the $200,000
top prize, a brand new Lancer car and 905-794-5551
$50,000 first prize in Groovy Chutney cat-
egory of the contest. This is the fifth time
that he has won the competition in its 13-
year history .
Rooplal beat out another five times win-
ner Rikki Jai (Samraj Jaimungal), who took
the second prize in the contest which had
total prizes of $1 million.
Soca Elvis placed third, followed by Arti
Butkoon,one of two female finalists, former
chutney champion Adesh Samaroo, former
winner Heeralal Rampartap, Neeshad Sul-
tan, Rajin Dhanraj, Shelleika Hazel, Rick
Ramoutar and Kenneth Seupersad.
Girdharrie, of Esperance Village, San
Fernando sang "Crazy for you" and "Ayee
sanjana pyaar" while Rikki Jai sang "Ley
we go" and "Baharie". Rampartap sang
Khel Baldeo
Sales Representative
"Aisay Waisay" and "Itioo ayee wo yo yo."
Organiser of the competition, Southex 5071 Highway #7 East
Promotions’ George Singh said contestants Markham Ontario L3R 1N3
were not spending enough time on their Bus: 905-477-0011
Fax: 905-477-6839
melody and lyrics. He said, "Something
will have to be done to assist Chutney soca
(905) 477-0011 E-mail: kbaldeo@trebnet.com
artistes in composing songs and putting 24 Hr. Pager
them to melody." www.re maxallstars.c a
The Groovy Chutney category was in-
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troduced for the first time this year. It fea-
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songs.
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Given these circumstances, a girl's gotta
do what a girl's gotta do. Gulabi Gang
founder Sampat Pal Devi, who was married Ship 10 barrels (100 cubic feet) in one Calendar
off at age 9 and had her first child at 13, Year and Ship the 11th Barrel (10 cubic feet) for FREE!
Enjoy this:
says:Nobody comes to our help in these
parts. The officials and police are corrupt
and anti-poor. So sometimes we have to Guyana...............$45.00 per barrel
take the law into our own hands. At other Trinidad..............$30.00 per barrel
times, we prefer to shame the wrongdoers.
But we're not a gang in the usual sense of
Kingston............$30.00 per barrel
the term. We're a gang for justice.Until the Montego Bay ....$35.00 per barrel
Barbados...........$55.00 per barrel
rule of law can be established, it looks like
justice will be have to administered via grrrl
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NY Guyanese Vent
CARIBBEAN Indo-Caribbean Times FEBRUARY 2008 Page 21
Anger spills over How they killed

Anger at PPP Gov’t

By Vishnu Bisram
justice. “Guyanese will never have a good
life unless these animals are brought to jus-
New York , Feb 3:- For the second con-
tice”.
secutive Sunday, Guyanese New Yorkers
Raj Singh, Chair of the Association of
got together for a public forum to discuss
Concerned Guyanese, PPP support group in
the Lusignan massacre. Last week’s forum
N.Y, said “people have a right to be angry”.
was held at the Jama Masjid in Richmond
Amidst heckling, Singh said: “We, in the
Hill .
ACG, are as concerned as you are and we
This time the venue was open air at the
will send your message to the party”.
Cheddi Jagan Square on Liberty Avenue
Hecklers called for the return of Roger
where hundreds showed up and vented
Khan and Ronald Gajraj to deal with the
anger at the ruling PPP administration for
killers and for President Jagdeo and Minis-
its failure to curb violent crime against In-
ter Clement Rohee to step down. “They
dians. The gathering also registered its dis-
can’t do the job. Let them go”, hecklers
approval of the ill-treatment meted out to
shouted. But other speakers did not feel the
protesters on the East Coast following the
President should resign.
massacre.
Roy Singh, one of the officials of the
The crowd was very angry so much so
Phagwah Parade, said “We can’t call for
that when supporters of the PPP tried to de-
Jagdeo to resign until we have a replace-
fend the government, their voices were
ment. Give him one more chance. He is
drowned out by overwhelming boos and
good at economics but has no idea of secu-
heckling from the gathering. Some of them
rity. He needs help and I hope he seek for-
were called soup lickers by hecklers. On the
eign help”.
other hand, speeches criticizing the gov-
When a spiritual leader tried to defend
ernment received loud applause. Although
President Jagdeo saying he was doing a
the gathering was not anti-PPP, people felt
great job, he was booed. The organizers ap-
frustrated at the unwillingness of the gov-
pealed for respect and discipline to allow
ernment to adopt tough policies against
the speakers to air their views.
criminals who have been targeting Indians.
Tony Shafiek, another TV personality,
The forum was organized by several re-
said “the government needs a military so-
ligious organizations. During several times
lution to the problem to set an example to
during the forum, organizers had to appeal
criminals”.
to the crowd to show decorum and civility
A woman, by the name of Tara, a former
and respect for religious figures who were
market vendor in Guyana , said the Presi-
also booed and heckled.
dent has a to be a tough leader who can’t
After a short march on Liberty Avenue ,
appear weak and who must project force
facilitated by the police, people congre-
and power. “Me na get much education but
gated at the Dr. Jagan Square where a host
me get common sense and me get mo sense
of speakers addressed the issue of crime
than Jagdeo. He must use a lathi. He must
and the Lusignan massacre. People from
command the army and police. If don’t
amongst the crowd were also invited to
know how to use power, then he don’t de-
come on stage to express their view of the
serve to be in government”.
massacre and the government’s response to
Vishnu Bandhu, the one time leader of
it.
the now defunct United Republican Party,
Former High School Principal Robert
asked: “How long can we live in fear.
Mahase read a poem about crime in Guyana
Bharrats come to NY and only concern
. He was followed by Tanuja Raghoo, a TV
himself with a few people. He should meet
personality of programs on ITV, who called
all the groups in America and hear their
for an end to killings in Guyana . She ap-
views not just a few selected friends”.
pealed to the Guyana government to listen
Victor Moonsammy, an executive of an
to the voices of overseas Guyanese in solv-
area hospital, said the people should stop
ing the nation’s problems.
giving money to the PPP when the Presi-
Haji Zakir, one of the organizers of this
dent comes to New York until he shows he
and last week’s forum, and spiritual leader
can clean up Guyana of the criminals who
at government Gaumattie’s and
Bibi’s families
officials, police Gaumattie Thomas, whose husband and
two children were killed, recalled that she
Residents from the normally quiet com-
did not see what happened but was listening
munity of Lusignan burned tyres and
keenly from her hiding place in her house.
blocked the major thoroughfare, as well as
According to Thomas, her husband tried
streets, to vent their rage at the slaughter of
to push in the door even as the killers were
11 of their own, including five children.
trying to enter the house.
By sunrise, residents rang bells and
However, the gunmen overpowered him
sounded gongs along the East Coast De-
and forced their way into the house, shoot-
merara Public Road, while others of vari-
ing the 52-year-old Clarence Thomas dead
ous ages, with tears flowing, pounded on a
in the process.
barrel. “We want Roger Khan, Gajraj and
His body was left lying on the stairs.“I
guns!” and “Jagdeo and Rohee must go!”
was just hiding in the corner. Ow! Ah
were their constant chants as they gave vent
couldn't talk, ah couldn't do nothing. They
to their anger and frustration.
did not see me. Then they say, 'Watch two
Government ministers and members of
more deh on de bed. Kill dem! Kill dem',”
the armed forces, who attempted to restore
Mrs. Thomas told a local paper.
order, were forced to endure the taunts of
She said that the men shot her sleeping
residents, who repeatedly accused officials
son, Ron, and they then snatched her
of failing to protect them, despite having
daughter, Vanessa, from her bed, and al-
ample warning that such attacks could
though she screamed and begged for her
occur. Some were even slapped about the
life, she, too, was cold bloodedly gunned
head, had the wheels of their vehicles punc-
down.
tured, and were pelted with plastic bottles.
Another son, Howard, received a bullet
At least one minister was pelted with an
and fell off his bed, a move that certainly
egg.
saved his life. She said that maybe if the
Even President Bharrat Jagdeo was not
men had discovered the switch for the light
spared; some residents called on him to re-
in the house, the entire family would have
sign. Some Government officials were also
been slaughtered.
manhandled, and there were reports that
She said that the gunmen asked for noth-
Minister of Works Robeson Benn was
ing. “All me hear is shoot… kill everybody
struck on the head with a piece of wood. In
and the shots start.” When the men left, her
one instance, some residents attempted to
husband Clarence, and her two children;
topple a Ministry of Works tractor and
Vanessa aged 12 and Ron aged 11 were
trailer as well as Minister Shaik Baksh’s ve-
dead. Her two other children Howard, 19,
hicle into a ditch.
and Roberto were injured.
The chaos continued up to late yesterday
“Me hear them say them go come back. Me
afternoon.Residents had begun milling in
can’t live here no more.
the streets by daybreak, as they got wind of
At the home of Shazam Mohamed, his
the massacre.By 7:30 hrs, several young
mother, Bibi Khan, told Kaieteur News that
men, unable to contain their anger, began
five of them were in the house when the
dumping tyres, scrap metal, sand and other
bandits attacked. She said that the men
refuse on the East Coast Demerara High-
kicked and shot out their front door to gain
way, the Railway Embankment and other
entry into the house.“Dem shoot, shoot.
roadways, eventually blocking all streets
Awe nah open fuh dead. Me tell dem (fam-
and bridges between Beterverwagting and
ily) fuh hide, sit down easy and hide, nah
Lusignan.They then soaked the tyres with
come out,” she recalled.
petrol and set them alight, sending flames
She said that she later heard her husband,
and plumes of black smoke into the air.
Nadir Mohamed, groaning and came out
Every conceivable piece of debris was
from her hiding place, only to see her son,
used to block the road, and by noon both
Shazam, lying badly wounded in a pool of
symbols of the leading party (two large
blood.“He call out, 'Ow, mammy, give me
drums fashioned into cups) were pulled
some water fuh drink and throw some pon
down and set ablaze. “Them children ain’t
me skin',” Khan recalled.
do nobody nutten; we ain’t want politics,

Doreen lost
of Jama Masjid, appealed to the govern- we want guns to protect we self. The army
are terrorizing Indians.
ment “not to let bandits take over the coun- and police is a waste of time.”
Other speakers were also critical of the
During their tour of the village, govern-

try”. Zakir complained that President
Jagdeo failed to honor a promise for a call
in on his radio program on Sunday morn-
ing. He said Presidential Secretary Roger
Luncheon had assured him that the Presi-
dent would address New York Guyanese on
son Shazam
PPP.
ment ministers offered their condolences to
The organizers thanked the crowd and
those residents whose loved ones had been
speakers for coming out to air their views
slaughtered, but most went unaccepted..
on the situation in Guyana and to express
“Ya’ll stop or ya’ll gon get hurt,” warned
their sympathy and offer condolences to the
Minister Priya Manickchand, but the vil- There was no dry eye at Lot 26 Lusignan

the air through his radio program.
Zakir condemned the tear gassing and
beating of protesters saying it is the peoples
democratic right to protest. He urged the
government to seek foreign help to get the
Lusignan killers. “Get foreign commandoes
to do the job”.
Zakir also called on the government to
listen to the voice of overseas Guyanese to
solve the crime problem.
Dhanpaul Narine, President of Trimurthi
Mandir, called on the government to clean
up the police force charging that “some el-
ements of the police work in collusion with
criminals”.
Attorney at law Albert Baldeo, who is
seeking political representation for Rich-
mond Hill residents in Albany , called on
the government to bring the criminals to
Lusignan residents
families of the massacre.
denounce police
Residents were upset at the slow police
response. They said that the police refused
to answer several telephone calls even as
the massacre was in progress.This was
brought to the attention of Acting Police
Commissioner Henry Greene, who visited
the area early and promised a full investi-
gation into the conduct of his ranks.
Many residents expressed horror that the
children were not spared.“Dem nah come
fuh rob. Look how dem kill dem pickney
while dem sleeping,” was one of the fre-
quent comments. “Dis government gat fuh
resign; dem can't protect we,” was another.
lagers responded, “Hurt? De hurt already at
the mortuary. Condolence can’t bring dem
back. Wah ya’ll come fah?”
Minister Shaik Baksh did not escape the
wrath of the villagers. As he tried to con-
sole the residents, he was dealt a slap to the
back of his head minutes after he was booed
and taunted. He slowly walked to safety
with an angry mob behind, lobbing plastic
bottles at him and shouting, “Get out! We
does got to get numbers to see you. Where
you number deh now?”
Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee
also was not spared the insults. While en-
tering the village his vehicle was pelted
with an egg, and as he walked through,
shouts of “Rohee must go! Bring back de
big guts man now,” permeated the air.
as Doreen Khan recounted the ordeal. Her
grief could not be contained as she has lost
her 22-year-old son, Shazam Mohamed, an
accountant at the Nauth Construction firm
died.
“Five ah we been sleeping and then we
hear the gunshots.” She recalled that there
were orders for the family to open the door.
“Them say open the door but me son say,
‘Daddy don’t open the door and they start
to shoot at the building and then me hear
me husband say he get shoot.”
She said too that seconds later the alarm
for her son’s car went off and he got up to
turn off the alarm and as she was standing
he was hit. The woman as well as her
daughter Shazila Khan and her son Shazad
are unharmed but her husband Nadir Mo-
hammed, 48, is hospitalised.
SPORTS
Cricket whitewashes by Pakistan, South Africa
A new-look Pakistan, without a handful
of senior players, drove Zimbabwe into the
ground with a comprehensive seven-wicket
victory in the final one-dayer in
Sheikhupura to clean sweep the Mobilink
Cup 5-0. The overcast and bitterly cold con-
ditions didn't faze debutant Khurram Man-
zoor and Younis Khan as they chased down
a meagre target of 182 with 19 overs to
spare.
The win was set up by Pakistan's
sprightly young bunch - which included
four debutants - who showed exemplary
commitment in the field to keep Zimbabwe
in check for much of their innings. The
overcast conditions were tailor-made, it
seemed, even for Pakistan's untested seam-
bowling attack, and Hamilton Masakadza's
decision to bat first was perplexing. After a
top order wobble, Zimbabwe were lifted by
a rearguard from Elton Chigumbura and
Brendan Taylor, but couldn't sustain the
momentum as Pakistan quickly clawed
back to shoot them out for a woefully inad-
equate score.
West Indies go
under to South
Africa
Herschelle Gibbs' bristling 102 and a classy
74 from Jacques Kallis took South Africa
to their fifth win of the series, whitewashing
West Indies who were soundly beaten by
eight wickets in Johannesburg. With 26
runs needed from 34 balls, out marched
Shaun Pollock to carry his side home for
the last time and, with a flay past point for
two, the fairytale was complete.
Initially set 296 before two rain interrup-
tions, South Africa found the going tough
in their first five overs. In dank conditions,
the ball nibbled around for Daren Powell
and his opening partner, Ravi Rampaul, and
Graeme Smith, for the umpteenth time,
edged one onto his stumps as he played
across the line. Gibbs continued to look out
of sorts, as he has done all series, scratching
around unconvincingly to the disciplined
lines of West Indies' opening attack.
And then the rains came. After an hour's
break, the players resumed for six balls be-
fore a more sustained torrent forced them
off for longer, while also reducing South
Africa's target to 211 from 31 overs. Out
came the sun, and in the next five overs
Gibbs took the attack to West Indies in a
breathtaking display of power-hitting.
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Players of all skill levels (beginners to advanced) are
invited to participate. Tournaments held every month
during the winter.
See schedule at www.horizoncricketclub.com or phone
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Registration information at
www.horizoncricketclub.com
Indo-Caribbean Times
Up until that moment he had made 10 runs
from 23 balls, but two consecutive fours off
Powell got his feet moving before he laid
into Dwayne Bravo, lofting him over long-
off for a huge six and flaying another past
point. In five overs, South Africa mowed 66
runs and West Indies were falling apart.
Their bowling was ill-disciplined and
nervy; their fielding, at times, a shambles,
especially Runako Morton, who twice let
the ball through his legs for fours. These are
the factors which have ultimately cost them
the series.
Quite by contrast, West Indies' batting has
steadily improved with each match and
today's effort was particularly impressive,
tinged with end-of-term frolicking. Devon
Smith fell nine short of his maiden one-day
hundred and batted fearlessly throughout,
cracking 10 fours and lofting three huge
sixes. When he and Shivnarine Chander-
paul were together, West Indies had every
hope of setting South Africa a total well in
excess of 300.
West Indies' 100 was brought up in the 16th
over, as Chanderpaul busied himself rather
anonymously in contrast to Smith, with a
selection of nudges and well judged singles.
And as the pair's hundred partnership was
brought up from just 87 balls, West Indies
were in control.
With distinct inevitability, it didn't last. Eye-
ing his maiden one-day hundred, Smith
edged Charl Langeveldt to Boucher for a
bristling 91. And two overs later,
Langeveldt trapped Chanderpaul leg-before
with a fine, inswinging delivery to leave
West Indies' frail middle-order with work
to do. South Africa - a bowler short when
2008 Canadian
Domino King is
Rasfa Richie.
The 2008 Canadian Domino Championship
was held on Saturday, February 02, 2008 in
Toronto. City TV was there to cover this
truly national event. Please watch
Caribbean Beat at Rogers Cable 10 this Sat-
urday at 12.00 Noon for highlights.
The Runner-up to the King is Churaman
Lall.
The 2008 Canadian Team Champions are
Karamchand Persaud, Percy Mangra and
Rohan Singh.
FEBRUARY 2008
SOCCER
Toronto FC battled Danish club Odense
Boldklub to a 0-0 draw Monday in Major
League Soccer pre-season action from
Bradenton, Fla.
Toronto is now 0-2-0 in exhibition play this
season — the club played to a 1-1 draw
against Eastern Conference foes D.C.
United in a 60-minute game last week in
Bradenton.
Toronto head coach John Carver said he
was "delighted" with the overall effort of
his players against Odense.
Carver took over as Toronto coach on Feb.
1, replacing Mo Johnston, who became the
team's manager and director of soccer.
Continue Article
Click to learn more...
"I thought it was a very workmanlike
team," Johnston said of Monday's draw
against the Danes. "I felt they were very or-
ganized, got behind the ball and we created
a lot of chances. We pressed when we
needed to; we defended when we needed to.
It's not easy playing against European
teams and it was a good exercise."
Midfielders Maurice Edu and Carl Robin-
son played in the first half, making their
pre-season debuts for Toronto.
Toronto and Odense meet again Thursday
in Florida.
The MLS club also said Canadian national
goalkeeper Josh Wagenaar is now working
out with the team on trial.
Toronto will kick off the MLS regular sea-
son on March 29 on the road against the
Columbus Crew. The team's first home
game is April 19 against Real Salt Lake.
Sania to boycott In-
dian tournaments
Sania Mirza will boycott all Indian tourna-
ments, including next month's WTA Ban-
galore Open, after being dragged into a
series of controversies at home in the last
two months.
The 21-year-old Asian number one said she
had been advised by her manager and
mixed doubles partner Mahesh Bhupathi to
skip the tournament starting on March 3.
"At this moment, I have been advised by
my manager not to play," she told reporters
on Monday in her hometown of Hyderabad.
Mirza, who emerged a youth icon since be-
coming the first Indian to win a WTA tour
event in 2005, would have been the big
draw alongside American sisters Serena
and Venus Williams.
But in the face of mounting criticism, she
said she had thought about ending her play-
ing career.
The world number 29 has been summoned
by a court in the central city of Bhopal after
allegedly showing disrespect to the Indian
flag, punishable by a jail sentence if proved,
during the Hopman Cup in Perth last
month.
She was also forced to apologise to mosque
officials in her hometown for shooting an
advert on its premises in December after a
complaint of trespass was filed against her
to the police.
Page 22
Football
Bills to play Toronto
Roger Goodell didn't exactly give
Toronto's aspirations for a full-time NFL
franchise a ringing endorsement Friday.
The NFL commissioner confirmed dur-
ing his state-of-the-union address in Ari-
zona the league has approved a proposal
from the Bills to play eight games over the
next five years in Toronto. Buffalo would
stage a regular-season contest at Rogers
Centre each season, starting in 2008, and
also play three exhibition games every
other year.
However, Goodell stopped well short of
saying it's the first step in the Bills relocat-
ing to Toronto, something many believe
would not only spell the end of the Toronto
Argonauts and Hamilton Tiger-Cats but the
CFL as a whole.
"That's not our focus right now," Good-
ell said. "Our focus right now is trying to
make sure the games we have committed
to, which is one game over the next five
years, are done successfully and do
UK cricketers warned
about rebel Indian
league
Geoff Miller, England's newly-installed
chief selector, has hinted that any England
player who signs up for the rebel Indian
Cricket League could go the same way as
New Zealand's Shane Bond, who last
month had his national contract terminated
and now faces being cast into the interna-
tional wilderness.
So far only four England players - Chris
Read, Vikram Solanki, Darren Maddy and
Paul Nixon - have taken the lucrative offer
from the ICL and, of those, only Read had
realistic prospects of resuming his interna-
tional career. But Miller, in New Zealand
with the one-day squad, suggested that the
ECB would be making an example of them
to prevent others from following the same
path.
Contracts for the ICL are worth between
£200,000 and £500,000, but the tournament
is not sanctioned by the ICC - unlike the
forthcoming Indian Premier League, which
takes place in April. Miller stopped short of
saying that legal issues were behind his
comments, but instead questioned the mo-
tivation of players who sign for the ICL.
"A lot has been happening in the last few
months, everytime I have played in India
there has been some kind of problem so we
just thought it was better not to play at this
point," said Mirza, who reached the Aus-
tralian Open women's singles third round
and the mixed doubles final with Bhupathi.
"I don't think it was an extreme reaction at
all," Mirza told the NDTV channel. "There
is something or the other happening. It is
not easy to be dealing with stuff like that. I
felt great lows in the last few weeks."
Bhupathi defended her decision to skip the
event.
"The way things have panned out in the last
few months is very unfortunate," he told
NDTV. "In the wake of two controversies
back-to-back it's probably the right thing
for her."
Chief tournament organiser Sundar Raju
said he heard Mirza's comments only after
being told by the national federation she
would play.
 Indo-Caribbean Times FEBRUARY 2008 Page 23

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