TIMES

I ndo- Caribb ean

INSIDE: MORTGAGE SPECIALIST

Lusignan
Massacre
Storires on Page 1, 9, 19
and 21

Richard Aziz
Vol 2. No 2 February 2008 Tel: 416-289-3898 [email protected]

Sadness and anger at slaughter of 11 ethnic Indians in Guyana

416-832-7293

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 black criminal gangs. look more like the continuation of an un- self and told him he was useless. An Indian
with shock and anger at the January 26 The background to all these events is the official insurrection, or guerrilla war woman attempted to hand Jagdeo a
massacre by mysterious gunmen of 11 contest for political power between the ma- against the PPP and its supporters than ban- woman's panty to wear, and another
poor Lusignan villagers, including five chil- jority Indian community and the slightly dit attacks for money. The PNC and other woman tried to put a mala with the pictures
dren, There's also considerable bewilder- smaller African community. As in Triidad, black groups have been trying since 1992 of the 11 victims around his neck.
ment at why such an event happened and all politics is essentially racial politics. to overthrow the elected PPP government Protesters openly called for the return of
what it means. by violent street protests and political pres- former government minister Gajraj and
Indo-Caribbean Times presents a special Not just bandits sure, supported by relentless criminal at- Roger Khan, both believed to have organ-
report on the background to the murders in tacks focusing on Indians. Failing ized death squads that killed black crimi-
Lusignan, and their impact on events in The massacre was not an act of banditry consistently to beat the PPP in elections, nals. There was also heavy criticism of the
Guyana. See page 19 and 21 for a report and robbery, but a deliberately chosen and the PNC has been trying to topple the gov- PPP in forums organized in New York
on the massacre. well executed execution by a commando ernment or applying pressure to force the which has an enormous Indo-Guyanese
type gang armed with military assault rifles PPP to share government by “executive community.
Victims Indian, killers African like AK-47's. Several of the victims were power sharing” Attacks on PPP supporters
shot sleeping in their beds and little attempt make the point that the PPP is in office but Protesters brutalized
The first thing to understand is that the was made to rob the five homes attacked. is powerless to defend its supporters or de-
slaughtered villagers were all Indians from Lusignan is a very poor village. Witnesses liver law and order. The PNC solution is a In its turn, President Jadgeo's government
an East Coast Demerara village known to reported hearing gunmen giving orders to government of national unity and power was strangely brutal in putting down spon-
support the ruling Peoples Progressive kill the villagers. Robbers do not usually sharing to gain the influence it cannot ob- taneous demonstrations after the Lusignan
Party, which has as its political base the ma- kill children: There's no money in that. tain through elections. massacre. Police were allowed to beat pro-
jority of Indo-Guyanese. The estimated This shooting was not an isolated event testers and break up demonstrations. Other
two dozen attackers all appeared to be but part of a military type campaign. Ear- Police fail to respond (again) protesters were tear gassed, and some were
African, though neither the police nor the lier the same group attacked police head- shot by police using buckshot. Police de-
media would say so. quarters at Eve Leary , shooting two A gross and unforgivable failure of three nied permission for grieving villagers to
The second is that Lusignan is not an en- policemen on guard. They are also believed police stations to respond to calls for help make peaceful public marches. This con-
tirely unusual horror, but is one of a long to be the same group who stage a fierce from desperate Lusignan villagers is ab- trasts sharply with the normally tolerant
series of brutal attacks by Afro-Guyanese firefight with the Guyanese army outside solutely normal in Guyana. It confirmed behaviour of police towards black protest-
on Indo-Guyanese going back over 40 years the black village of Buxton, killing one sol- once again that Guyana's largely black po- ers, even when blacks were blocking roads
to the 1960's The list includes the street dier. Neither of these two other actions lice cannot or will not deliver security to the or marching without permission. Jagdeo
riots of 1964 which led to the African based brought any money to the gang. Indian community. President Bharrat can make the police brutalize Indian pro-
People's National Congress took political A reason given by the suspected gang Jagdeo’s government has been weakened testers but cannot get them to respond
power,and the Wismar massacre of the leader “Fineman” that he wanted his girl- by another proof his police and army cannot promptly to routine calls for help from In-
same year, when 9 Indians were killed and friend released by the police, makes no guarantee law and order. The armed forces dian victims of crime.
1600 driven out of their homes by huge sense. Police did not arrest his pregnant will not work for him as they did for gov- The failure of Guyana police to arrest
African mobs, plus more street riots and girlfriend, who has since turned up safely ernments formed by the PNC in the past. suspected gang leader Fineman for five
banditry since the PPP's control of govern- with her newborn child. Shooting at sol- This time there was an unprecedented long years has more to do with unwilling-
ment since 1992. diers and police and killing innocent vil- level of anger directed at the PPP govern- ness to arrest him than anything else.
From 1964-1992 the majority of Indo- lagers is not a reasonable response to a ment after Lusignan. PPP officials were
Guyanese fled the country to escape racial missing girlfriend. roughed up and jeered during spontaneous (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 Ontario child poverty centre
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 Ontario is the child poverty centre of the
proposal to set up at least one Africentric dated practice that doesn't reflect the country with 345,000 poor kids. According
Alternative School in Toronto in Septem- province's modern-day cultural diversity, to a recent United Way report, 30 per cent
ber 2009. Premier Dalton McGuinty said Wednesday of Toronto families are living in poverty,
They will also set up a pilot program in compared to 16 per cent in 1990.

A
as he proposed an all-party committee to
three existing schools that would integrate look for alternatives.
the "histories, cultures, experiences and Guyana born man who became the School board stealing ESL
contributions of people of African descent
and other racialized groups" into the cur-
It is time for a more inclusive approach that first governor of the province of
British Columbia is likely to be given for-
funding for swimming pools
reflects 21st-century Ontario, where more
riculum. that one-third of the population was born mal recognition in Guyana this year..
The main reasons given for the move was outside Canada, McGuinty said before his Sir James Douglas, who was born in Bel-
that black students have a high drop out rate mont, Mahaica in 1803, to a mother who John Campbell, Toronto District School
Liberal government's weekly cabinet meet- Board chair , Toronto Star Feb. 6, 2008
of around 40%, and some say they are dis- ing. was a slave and a father who was a wealthy
connected and alienated from their culture Scottish sugar merchant, is one of the ear-
in existing schools. liest Guyanese to come to Canada and one It costs the (Toronto School) board $17
"I think it's time for us to ensure that we million a year to keep the ( 78 swimming)
Black parents and community members have a prayer that better reflects our diver- of its highest achievers.
who supported the proposal say that a black Guyanese immigrant Clyde Duncan, pools open. The board already gets $5 mil-
sity," he said. lion from the city, which runs parks and
focused school will help with the self es- President of the Canadian Cultural Associ-
teem and motivation of black students. ation of British Columbia, is spearheading recreation programs in 35 pools.
"I've asked for a parliamentary committee, For years, the board has been covering the
They believe it will reduce the drop out rate with representation from each of the parties efforts to recognize the contribution of Sir
and improve the low levels of academic James. Duncan recently held discussions in remaining costs by short-changing new im-
and the Speaker's involvement as well, to migrants students by using their ESL fund-
achievement of many black students. take a look at how we can move beyond the Guyana with Prime Minister Samuel Hinds
The black focuses school is opposed by and other officials, together with Canadian ing to pay for pools, he said.
Lord's Prayer to a broader approach that is

St Vincent PM freed
a large section of the black community, and more inclusive in nature." High Commissioner Charles Court, and the
the majority of non blacks in Toronto. They Belmont, Mahaica Neighbourhood Demo-

on rape charges
say the black focused school is a return to McGuinty denied the proposed change in cratic Council among others to discuss a
segregaation, and that isolating black stu- prayer was an attempt to counter some of proposal made to celebrate the life and
dents from the multicultural and multi eth- the religious feelings and rhetoric stirred up work of Sir James.
nic reality of Toronto will do more harm during last year's Ontario election campaign In 1812 James left what then British St Vincent Prime Minister Ralph Gon-
than good. by the fierce debate over funding for faith- Guiana with his family for Scotland where salves, has been cleared of accusations of
There is no indication where the money based schools. he was educated. At 16 he went to Canada rape made by a former member of his se-
to set up the school will come from. The to work for the Hudson Bay Company, and curity detail.
TDSB is facing a large budget deficit, and "No, I think it's a reflection of the times," moved up to the top levels in the British A 36-year-old policewoman made the
Premier Dalton McGuinty says the he said. Columbia area. He became governor of the shocking allegation against Gonsalves, who
Province of Ontario will not pay for the Colony of Vancouver Island in 1851and in Trinidadians also know as being a close
school. "We're much more than just Protestants and 1858 was also made governor of the Colony

Petro-Can makes big

friend of Prime Minister, Patrick Manning
Catholics today. We have all the world's of British Columbia. Douglas is considered and frequent visitor to this island.
to be the “Father of British Columbia.” He
finds gas find in TT
faiths represented here. If they're repre- In an interview Gonsalves said the alle-
sented outside the legislature, I think we died in 1877. gations of rape and indecent assault were

World stock markets

ought to find a way to ensure that diversity politically motivated. "It is an outrageous

Celebrate 2008
is reflected inside the legislature as well." allegation," Gonsalves said, "Both allega-

take $5 trillion beating

Petro-Canada has made a natural gas
tions are false and malicious."
discovery in Block 22 offshore T&T that

Centenary of
"What is really strange is that these com-
could contain between 0.6 - 1.3 trillion
plaints were made after the lawyers for this
cubic feet of recoverable natural gas.
lady had written to the Commissioner on

Arrival of Indo-
The well was drilled in 430 metres of Stock markets around the world lost a
record $5.2 trillion dollars in January the 26th (January). And it came to the at-
water to a depth of 1,712 metres below sea
thanks to the fallout from the US subprime tention of the Commissioner and the Com-

Caribbeans in
leve. It well flowed natural gas at a rate of
crisis and fears of a global economic slow- missioner wrote in the following terms,
23 million cubic feet per day, indicating that
down, Standard & Poor's said last week. among other things:

Canada
it could contain between 0.6 - 1.3 trillion
That is almost double the $2.8 billion "'I had the matter investigated and those in-
cubic feet of gas. After this another well
total budget of the US, the largest economy vestigations did not reveal any evidence of
will ne drilled 4.6 kilometres to the south,
in the world. Canada’s budget for 2007 is wrongdoing by the Prime Minister'."
followed by two or three other prospects in
as part of a 5-well drilling program. $39 billion. Brampton kidney kidnap
The independent credit ratings' provider
doctor arrested in Nepal
WOW!! 3.49% mortgage rate* said emerging markets fell 12.44 percent
and developed markets lost 7.83 percent to
To Jan 31: 2nd mortgage at 5.99% register one of the worst starts to a new The Brampton doctor being hunted in-
year. ternationally because of his alleged in-
2nd mortgage for residence/commercial "There were few safe havens in January volvement in selling kidneys harvested
from unsuspecting people, has been ar-
6.99% interest only payment for 1 year as 50 of the 52 global equity markets ended
rested in Nepal. The man known as “Dr
the month in negative territory, with 25 of
100% Financing & No Income Confirmation them posting double-digit losses," said Horror” is a one-time actor in C-grade Bol-
Good / Bad Credit & Previous Bankrupt Howard Silverblatt, senior index analyst at lywood films and a "very Casanova type of
character" with as many as six aliases, po-
No hassle commercial mortgage financing S&Ps. All 26 developed equity markets
lice and journalists in his native India say.
posted negative returns in January, with 16
Self Employed & Bank Turndowns losing at least 10 percent of their value. He was found with over $1 million and sev-
In Paris, the stock exchange lost 12.27 eral travel documents.
Call NOW!!
Lea Nankissoor
percent over the course of January, in Lon- Dr. Amit Kumar is wanted there for per-
don it was down 8.85 percent in January, forming some 500 illegal transplants over
down 16.54 percent for the past three the past eight or nine years, with kidneys
that were in some case removed from peo-
(over 15 yrs Banking experience) months. The US fell 6.07 percent in Janu-
ary, Japan dropped 4.47 percent in January, ple held at gunpoint and sold to wealthy
Germany fell 13.72 percent in January, clients locally and from overseas.

647-294-6241 Equity markets in emerging countries The hunt spread to a quiet neighbourhood
also suffered heavy losses in January, with in Brampton after it was discovered he had
Turkey falling 22.70 percent, China by bought a home there last year. A woman be-
21.40 percent, Russia by 16.12 percent and lieved to be his wife and two young chil-
*OAC, terms and rates are subject to change without
India at 16 percent. dren live there now, according to
notice and some conditions may apply
neighbours.
COMMENTARY Indo-Caribbean Times FEBRUARY 2008 Page 4

THE DEFENCE OF INDIANS (1977)

Indo-Caribbean Times is From the editor’s desk
published monthly in Toronto
by Indo-Caribbean Times Ltd.

Editor/Publisher: Ram Jagessar erally useless and helpless to stop this racial we can organise to show them different.
Files can be very embarass- robbery. Sometimes they seem to be help- Then we decide what weapons we need to
ing things, especially when ing people like the drug pushers. Some po- deal with these bloodsuckers, and what
Editorial Committee: they reveal documents like licemen do not seem to be interested in kind or insecticide we have to apply. They
Reynold Ramdial, Gulcharan Mo- this 1977 pamphlet on the cracking down on crooks making a living have declared war on us, and since we can-
habir, Lloyd Harradan, Sandy issue of security for Indians by robbing Indians. not surrender, we have to fight them. It's as
Ram Jagessar in Trinidad. It was released simple as that.
Kissoonsingh, Roop Misir, Deoraj The result is that we are living in jails.
by a small group in St Au- We can't leave our homes and be sure to re- Some other things follow from this line
Narine, Jiantee Jagessar,Krishna gustine of which I was a member. As a re- of thinking. First, each Indian must look to
turn and find them safe. Some Indians are
Nankissoor, Rudy Lochan minder of opportunities not taken, I am afraid to go out to the cinema or a show, and making his home safe from attack from bur-
releasing it as it was printed over 30 years are looking to migrate to other lands. glars, kick down door bandits, rapists etc.
Offi
ficce: 17 Gaiety Drive, ago. There may still be something for Indo- But that will not do at all. It is not an an- Do we need steel doors, bars, dogs, burglar
Trinidadians to learn from it now. swer. We have to understand what is hap- proofing? Should we put up fences? Should
Toronto ON Canada M1H 1B9
pening. Then we have to act, and do we open the door for strangers without see-
THE DEFENCE OF INDIANS something to protect ourselves. A people ing who they are first? Should we keep a
Tel: 416-289-3898 who cannot protect themselves from attack weapon handy in the house? What should
Over the years we Indians have had to de- are not sure to survive. it be, a club, cutlass, speargun, or something
E-Mail: [email protected] fend ourselves from all kinds of attacks. Some Indians have already started, happy else? How do we alert neighbours of a
Others have attacked our religion, culture, to say. They are getting ready to defend problem? What do we do to protect our cars
political parties, our place in the economy, their selves, homes, villages, vehicles, ani- or our crops in the fields? These are serious
Opinions given in this newspaper mals and crops. In St. Helena, for instance, questions which require answers. Do not
and have all failed in their efforts.
are those of the authors and do Today it is time to prepare ourselves for after a nasty robbery the villagers have set assume you are safe because you live in a
not necessarily reflect the views another kind of attack, and to organise our up their vigilante squad. But a lot of us are country area or because you nave not been
not really thinking of self defence. We do hit before.
of the Indo-Caribbean Times. own defence. This time we are facing phys-
ical, criminal attack from members of an- not have to wait until we are personally at- We have to move beyond just defending
other racial group. It is plain racial robbery tacked. When we see our neighbour's house our homes and business places. We must
We welcome letters, e-mails and and terrorism, with Indians being attacked on fire, we should take out our hose and .look to the defence of our area as a zone.
comments on matters relevant to mostly by non-Indians. All of us know start wetting ours. That means co-operating with neighbours,
Indo-Caribbeans in Canada and about it. Every day it gets worse. neighbourhood watch, a telephone alert
THE GUYANA PATTERN system, alarms, roadblocks, vehicle patrols,
abroad, and also those at home in They are stealing our cars, robbing our
weapons. If there are known offenders in
business places without mercy. They are
the Caribbean. All content must First we have to ask some simple ques- the area they have to be dealt with, very
mugging us on the streets, hijacking our
comply with the requirements of taxis and cars or stealing them in broad day- tions. Why should we work to defend our- firmly. We have to protect women and chil-
Canadian law. light. They are burglarising our empty selves if we have the Police to do that job? dren, especially women alone at home in
homes or committing armed robberies on The answer is that for the most part the Po- the day or walking home at night.
our homes when we are present. They are lice are not doing the job and there is no
A copy of this newspaper is likelihood they will start soon. They are
raping our women. They are stealing our
posted on the internet in as a pdf animals and our crops in the fields. mostly of the same group as the criminals SELF DEFENCE GROUPS
file immediately after publication, anyway and neither side considers robbing
and the entire contents can be Indians to be specially bad.
Can this pattern of racial robbery get Various such self defence groups may
read online by anyone with a COMING INTO OUR HOMES
have to get together to confront well known
worse? Yes, it definitely can.
computer and an internet con- Has it happened anywhere else? Yes, robber roosts, to pressure the Police or the
Crooks and bandits are openly coming
nection. into our areas, scouting for places to rob. right in nearby Guyana, and that is the pat- political parties on a national basis. We are
Past and current issues of the IC- They are selling cocaine and ganja at our tern we can expect to get here very soon. In talking about making Trinidad a safe place
Guyana we have had armed gangs of non- for Indians to live and work, and nobody is
Times can be found at street corners, sometimes with help from
Indians. Sometimes they poison our dogs Indians from the towns going into the coun- going to do that job for us. We must do it
http://www.esnips.com/web/Indo try areas and kicking down the doors of In- ourselves, and take whatever steps neces-
before coming to rob our homes. What it
-CaribbeanTimes means is that these people are terrorizing dian homes, robbing, killing, raping as if sary.
us where we live and daring us to do some- they were in Uganda . Sometimes they use Even on a personal level, we have to look
Readers are also invited to look at thing. A few of them are openly saying that army and Police vehicles, and some of the to our safety. We Indians have to start think-
bandits are in fact soldiers and police. They ing of our safety, now and in the future. We
the website we Indians nave the money and we have to
must start learning karate, judo and other
mind them now. They are saying they must have terrorized the Guyanese Indians and
www.indocaribbeanheritage.com made them like a bunch of helpless sheep. self defence systems. We have to get legal
steal from us because they have no jobs.
which contains abundant infor- Many incidents are taking place. Busi- We cannot let that happen in Trinidad. weapons to protect ourselves when we
mation on Indo-Caribbeans in nessmen are sometimes robbed every week. The Trini Indian is a different creature alto- move around. We must understand that cor-
gether. We did not sweat and sacrifice to beaux will start eating us if we lie still and
Canada and our Caribbean her- Houses are broken into again and again.
Everybody in Trinidad knows of some ex- build this nation for a bunch of crooks and dead in appearance. Corbeaux fly away
itage and history. thieves to take away the rewards from us. when they see an animal alive and kicking,
amples. We see too that the Police are gen-
We have education, we have some money, especially when they see the kicking. Un-
Commentary: we have numbers. We must drive the derstand the nature of the enemy attacklng

Steelband music not doing well in Trinidad wolves back into their caves and scatter the
corbeaux from our dinner table. We have to
us, and we will drive him away. This is
deadly serious business. What we do de-
Entertainment writer Peter Blood says “The bottom line to most things in start now. cides how, where and in what condition we
that steelband is not popular in its home- today’s scheme of things is dollars and Indians live in Trinidad.
land, and it may need its own radio station. cents, and more than 30-something-plus THE PROCEDURE To conclude: Let us observe the problem
“ Try as I may, scanning our three dozen radio stations, not to mention most of cor- of non Indians attacking us on a widespread
radio frequencies, there is a drought of “pan porate T&T, really don’t give one rat’s arse It doesn't take much to start on the road and growing scale. Let us look at the trends.
music” on the airwaves. about pan music, the national instrument or to self defence and safety of Indians. We Let us look at solutions, plans for defending
“Last weekend, at zonal Panorama elim- Panorama. start by opening our eyes to what is hap- ourselves and dealing with our attackers.
inations nationwide, with the exception of “Which brings me to wonder just how pening around us, in our own areas and The position is serious. It calls for serious
the retro selections, few of the pieces per- many so-called “pan lovers” actually love elsewhere in the country. What is the trend, thought and serious action NOW, not in
formed by participating steelbands seemed pan or Panorama. I contend that the major- the pattern? Be sure it will reach you sooner 1991 or 1995. Racial crime against Indians
familiar to the public, given the many ity of the thousands corralled within the or later. is a reality today. Let us put it on our agenda
queries I answered.. high priced Northern Greens on Sunday at Next, we look at the culprits. Exactly TODAY.
“ Gone are the days of Kitchener and the Queen’s Park Savannah listened to not who are the people doing the crimes? Make
Sparrow, when our two radio stations one solitary performance in its entirety. a little investigation in your area, set up a The End
played all the selections bands would per- “For most it was just another opportunity little group to find out. Get the descriptions, Indian Defence Unit, St Augustine
form at Panorama. Back then, not only did to have fun, drink too much, gallery, get on and if possible the names, addresses and
the radio stations show respect and appre- bad and cuss, and make noise. method of operation of the bandits. Some-
ciation for the music, but the artistes them- times they are making no attempt to hide,
selves actually sang the selections in the as if nobody can do anything to them. Then
few calypso tents in operation.
Crime expert: gang attacks could be political
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO NEWS Indo-Caribbean Times FEBRUARY 2008 Page 5

83% of gangs are Afro-Trinidadian, 13% Indos

T he increasing spate of deadly attacks by
criminal gangs on citizens throughout
National Security, given itsknowledge of
Gov't should have CJ Sharma: I stood up
for what was right
the number of gangs, to track their move-

paid ransom for

T&T could be a subversive plot to create ments and attacks.
political instability says criminologist He said backing up Katz's research that

kidnapped Zalina
Ramesh Deosaran. Also an independent 83 per cent of the country's gang members Former chief justice Satnarine Sharma
senator, Deosaran suggested gangs could be are Afro-Trinidadian and 13 per cent Indo- says he stood up for what was right when
the mastermind of elements who wanted to Trinidadian, hedid a study titled African he resisted two attempts to remove him
create public panic. Youth in Danger on the East/West Corridor from office during the last three years of his
“I have a feeling gang violence might be in 2006. He found most of the gangs come tenure.
swinging in that direction. ButI would leave from this area. "What would have been the impression if
that so for now,” he said in an interview Deosaran said while in some parts of the I had not stood up and resigned? What
with the Sunday Guardian. The professor world, fear was being instilled through ter- would have the people found out if I had
said recent research shows the existence of rorism and in other places through assassi- not stood up and withstood this assault?"
95 gangs in Trinidad, most of them coming nations, in the Caribbean, it was through Sharma said on his last day in office.
from the East/West Corridor and with gang mass murders by gangs. He was commenting about the legal ef-

Panday: $67m
members who were over 80% Afro-Trinida- forts to have him removed from office that
dian. arose out the allegations of misconduct

spent on mostly
against him in the trial of former Prime
After the kidnapping of Central busi- Minister Basdeo Panday in 2006, as well as

useless blimps
nesswoman Zalina Mohammed earlier this that of vascular surgeon Prof Vijay
month, deputy mayor of Chaguanas Or- Naraynsingh in 2005. Sharma had refused
lando Nagessar demanded that government to resign when Prime Minister Patrick Man-
pay her ransom. Zalina has since been re- ning had suggested he do so. Last Decem-
leased after payment of part of the $1m ran- ber, the tribunal that investigated the
Sen. Ramesh Deosaran som. allegations against Sharma found there was
The businesswoman, who was kidnapped not enough evidence to impeach him.

Panday: Mafia helped

Deosaran commented that Lusignan type from her wholesale liquor store at Main
attacks are happening in Trinidad. He was Road, Orange Valley by two armed men

PNM win elections

speaking in the context of the massacre of posing as customers.
11 people, including five children, in the Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday is Zalina ran a small liquor store out of her
coastal village of Lusignan, Guyana two calling for a public enquiry into Govern- home, with help from her family.
Saturdays ago by an armed gang. He said ment's acquisition of its first national secu- Basdeo Panday, Member of Parliament Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday has
such killings were already happening in rity blimp, which cost $12.6 million but for the area, along with Allan Seepersad, ordered United National Congress Alliance
T&T “in lesser proportions.” was not suitable for the country's weather local government representative for the (UNC-A) members to prepare to fight po-
He cited the recent attacks on the rural conditions. Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corpo- litical "enemies" other than the ruling party
villages of Flanagin Town, Tabaquite, Tal- "Who recommended it? You can't come ration; and Orlando Nagessar, chairman of in the Local Government elections.
paro, Las Lomas and Cumuto by armed now and tell us the atmosphere was bad. the Couva North Constituency and Deputy Panday said a "mafia" helped to ensure
gangs in which people were killed, raped What happen? Somebody change the Mayor of Chaguanas, visited members of the ruling People's National Movement
and robbed in the attacks. wind?" Panday said. Mohammed’s family on Friday. (PNM) gained its victory in the last General
“So it's very easy to do here what hap- He said there should be a public enquiry Nagessar, meanwhile, invited Prime Election by keeping Congress of the Peo-
pened in Guyana,” he said. to investigate the Government's acquisition Minister Patrick Manning and National Se- ple (COP) political leader Winston Dook-
of the other blimp ,which along with the curity Minister Martin Joseph to visit the eran from holding any unity talks with the
Growth of gangs first have cost the State $67.1 million over home of kidnap victim Mohammed and feel UNC-A.
the past three years. for themselves the pain and agony of the "Do you know that one of the reasons
In the Senate last Tuesday, Deosaran "There was a massive corruption and members of the family. why Dookeran was not allowed to even
warned that criminal gangs would increase bribery in the purchase of those blimps and “Members of the Government are con- meet to talk unity with the UNC was be-
in number over the next few years and will we must demand a public enquiry," Panday cerned more about talking about dog rice cause two top officials of the CORPSE
penetrate almost every part of T&T. said. and airport scandals in the Parliament, in- were receiving huge kick-backs from the
Noting that “T&T is into an unprece- National Security Minister Martin Joseph stead of finding a solution to the crime advertising agencies on the millions being
dented era of fear” as a result of violent at- admitted in Parliament recently that the problem,” Nagessar said. spent by the mafia on advertising," Panday
tacks by gangs, he claimed there were more first blimp bought in 2004 for $12.6 million “It is time residents get a vigilante group said in an address at Rienzi Complex. in
criminal gangs operating in the country was not suitable for the country's weather going to secure themselves, like the people Couva.
than the 86 cited by National Security Min- conditions. A further $7,056,000 was spent of Macaulay. I am calling on the Govern- Panday did not identify who exactly com-
ister Martin Joseph in the Senate. to maintain and repair this non functioning ment to pay the ransom (for Mohammed) prised the mafia he spoke of or the two COP
Deosaran said research done by Charles blimp-Aeros 40B SkyDragon. It had to be because the Government has failed to se- officials he claimed had received bribes to
Katz, a member of a team hired by Gov- sold for its purchase price. cure the people.” keep Dookeran from holding unity talks
ernment revealed that 95 gangs were oper- Government then leased a Skyship 600 It is not known who paid the ransom for with the UNC.
ating in T&T and that over 80 per cent of blimp in 2005 for $4.7 million for seven Zalina or what part of the ransom was paid. "We all know that the PNM is the known
themembers are Afro-Trinidadian. months, and later bought it for $15 million. Government sources have not replied to and traditional enemy but I suspect that the
“Katz gave the number of gangs back then It is still working, but has cost $1.4 million Nagessar’s request for payment of the ran- mafia will again intervene in these local
as 95 and said there was a total of 1,269 a month to repair and maintain. To date som. Zalina was said to be shaken but not Government elections to use the CORPSE
members. over $26 million has been spent on the physically injured by the ordeal. Police to try to bring about a PNM victory," Pan-
Deosaran also questioned the inability of blimp, or close to twice its purchase price. have not issued any description or artist’s day said.
sketch of the kidnappers.
Gang war causes exodus from Laventille area
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO Indo-Caribbean Times FEBRUARY 2008 Page 6

Several families have abandoned their Pic-

Opposition parties State witness to
talk security
pujari’s murder
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

killed beside his

dragging them in.
The move came after two homes, hous- DEPUTY Political Leader of the UNC Al-

new murti
ing two families, were torched . Gang mem- liance Jack Warner yesterday held security
bers attempted to torch a third house and talks with Chief Security Officer of Con-
another was shot at several times. gress of the People (COP), Captain Gary
Two of the houses, one which had a fam- Griffith, Security Chief of SWAT, Aaron
ily of seven and the other a family of three Henry, and Mayor of Chaguanas Dr Suruj
Rambachan to discuss ways and means of A star witness to the murder of a Hindu
were attacked around 8 a.m. Within min-

Bernadine wants to
utes after the Molotov cocktail was thrown improving the security of the business com- temple leader has been executed next to the
both houses went up in flames. Both houses munity and constituents of Chaguanas murti is Lord Hanuman he had just painted
Earlier this year Warner and Tabaquite
drop 400 of 600 lbs
and everything in them were destroyed. on his wall.
Earlier , at around 5 a.m., gunmen shot at Member of Parliament Ramesh Lawrence A 53 year old grandfather of ten, Balraj
another house nearby. No one was injured Maharaj launched a community security Harripersad ran next door last August 3to
in that attack. A woman from Picton who operation in Macaulay, which like Chagua- Trinidad's biggest woman is trying to lose help his brother, Punjari Kamal Harriper-
requested anonymity said, "where people nas, has seen anincrease in robberies of some weight, 400 lbs in all, or about the sad, who was being attacked by a gang of
going to stay now? We kept calling the po- businesses and street hold-ups. Police re- weight of three average sized Trinis. Six men with knives and cutlasses. Kamal Har-
lice and they not coming. We need some- sponse has been generally slow. foot tall, 600 lb Bernadine Graham of ripersad, the leader of the Shri Maha Lak-
thing. We need an apartment or something. At the meeting Griffith presented an in- Guapo, wants to walk out of the house she shmi Temple, was chopped to death in front
Nobody come and talk to us. We may have tervention plan that would lock-down Ch- hasn't left for three years. The forty one of his three children. The killers had also
to go on the promenade and sleep." aguanas as well as make use of up-to date year old was already 426 lbs when she be- beaten and chopped Balraj and his son, Raj
She said she and some members of her technology to detect crime and catch the came pregnant four years ago, and started during their reign of terror.
family were fortunate to find a place away criminals. Armed guards will soon be putting on weight. During the birth of ther Balraj helped the police in their investi-
from the, "war zone ....but not everybody posted to Chaguanas to carry out patrols second child Malaika at the San Fernando gations which led to the arrest of two men,
that lucky and neighbours fear for their and a mobile unit, purchased by Warner General Hospital she suffered a stroke, and he promised to go to court next week
lives. Some people leave everything behind will also be placed in the Borough. wasn’t able to move around and has been to testify in the murder case. He was threat-

Griffith challenges
for the gangsters, their televisions, fridges confined to her home. She went on a food ened by the gang, and never saw regular po-
everything. binge and got even heavier. Now she is try- lice patrols to guarantee his safety.

Dookeran leadership
ing to lose a few pounds, “ for my chil- Last Monday night, the killers returned to

Now its illegal

dren's sake," she said.

Conspiracy to
his home at St John's Trace, Orange Field
Road, Carapichaima. Two men wearing

immigrants
Frontline COP member Gary Griffith has masks broke into Harripersad's home that

shut industry,
challenged the leadership of Congress of was once a temple, while he sat in the liv-
ing room with his wife at around 8.45 p.m.

from Africa!
the People (COP) political leader Winston

say foreign used

Dookera. Griffith, a Port of Spain North/St He was made to kneel, then shot in the head
Ann's West candidate in the last general next to the mural of Lord Hanuman, which
symbolises courage and which he had

car dealers
election, wrote a letter to Dookeran that
strongly criticised the COP political leader's painted on his front wall.
Trinidad was the destination of a ship leadership style about two weeks ago. Harripersad wanted to ensure justice was
carrying starving refugees from Africa , that "Winston Dookeran has become a law done for his brother, he told his sons. The
was found adrift off the coast of Brazil . unto himself," Griffith said in a recent in- case against the accused killers will now
They were being lured by Trinidad 's boom- terview. ""Our political leader was selected Foreign used car dealers in Trinidad are likely collapse, police said. Police close to
ing economy and the promise of jobs. rather than elected and we need to have protesting the decision by government to the case said Harripersad had been offered
A barge carrying 13 people was found some electoral process to have the full sup- suspend the importation of foreign used State witness protection but chose to stay at
earlier this month drifting in the Atlantic port of the 148,000. I don't think we can get cars while they review of the quota system his home.

Youths prefer Hindu

Ocean . The refugees, who were showing an extra vote with Winston Dookeran as the introduced in December 2006.
signs or malnutrition and dehydration, had political leader," Griffith also said. The Pre-Owned Motor Vehicle Dealers
spent 17 days at sea making a trip across
the Atlantic Ocean of almost 2,000 miles to
He said the party's constitution only pro-
vided for an interim executive until the
Association, which represents the 352 reg-
istered foreign used car dealers, has accused
camp at Carnival
get to Trinidad . holding of its internal elections which are the ministry of a conspiracy to shut down
Trinidad immigration officers said the done sometime in the middle of this year. the industry. While many Trinis were jumping up for
refugees were arriving in growing numbers Griffith said that Dookeran, as the COP po- A local group GOPIOtt has said that Carnival or escaping to the beaches, dozens
along Trinidad 's unsecured south coast, litical leader, has set up several parallel used car dealers are predominantly East In- of Hindu gladly chose the annual Hindu
brought in by smugglers coming from groups that are taking their instructions dianTrinidadians, and has called for assur- Heritage Camp organized by the Hindu
Guyana and Venezuela . A Ghanian man from him without any input from the exec- ances that there is no clandestine move by Swayamsevek Sangh at the Chinmaya
was held in Moruga in a police roadblock utive Dokeran said while he would not theGovernment of Trinidad and Tobago to Ashram in Couva.
and charged with illegally entering comment on any specific aspect of Grif- shut down the industry. Theme for the camp was Hindus and the
Trinidad . Three other men believed to be fith's claims, all of the COP's members ”GOPIOtt find alarming that this Indo- Environment.and the aim was to show the
from Ghana , and who arrived by fishing were moving forward towards the goal of Trinidadian dominated industry isbeing tar- youths that “Hinduism teaches respect and
boat in Moruga, are being sought by po- attaining a victory in Local Government geted and victimized by a ministry whose care for the ground that we walk and live
lice, who said that many of the Africans try- elections due by July of this year. line minister in anotherportfolio drew the on (Darthi mata) the air we breathe (prana,
ing to get to Trinidad were from Sierra breath of life) and the water we drink (
January worst for
same complaint. GOPIOtt cannot help but
Leone , Nigeria . Last month, six Viet- recall thatMinister Rowley as Minister of Ganga mata).”

murders with 41 killed

namese nationals were held in South Housing drew similar outrage and criti- Young Hindus followed a daily program
Trinidad , and held for deportation. cismfrom the Indo-Trinidadian community that included devotion, Ramayan and Gita
A source in Trinidad ’s the Immigration in the distribution of governmenthous- study, educational lectures, group discus-
Department said that emigrants were com- January was the bloodiest month for ing.GOPIOtt also note that the established sions, art and craft, sports and games with a
ing to work in construction jobs, knowing new car automobile industrydominated by Hindu message, and vegetarian meals. The
killings in Trinidad history, with 41 people
their ethnicity would make them anony- other ethnic groups who are traditionally Swayamsevak Sangh has been holding
murdered, three more than the previous
mous. supporters of thePNM have escaped hard- camps like these for over 20 years. For
record of 28 for January 2007. The last
There is no visa requirement to land in ships of government imposed bureaucracy more information contact Priya Teemal
victim in January, Akeem James, was shot
Brazil . With refugees coming in at Erin , that theirIndo-Trinidadian counterparts 868-663-2955 or Lalchan Dookie at 868-
22 times by four gunmen in Morvant on
Quinam, Moruga and Point Fortin, there are have experienced.,’ said the group’s presi- 644-1034.

It pays to
January 30.
only three police investigators attached to "Somebody have to dead tonight," was al- dent Devant Maharajin a press release.
the south Immigration Department to pros- Government has denied the charges and

advertise in the
legedly the phrase used by gunmen before
ecute cases. they shot and killed James, who lived in said that as of January 23, it had issued
It is believed that the immigrants leave 2,900 licences to foreign used car dealers.

Indo-Caribbean
Second Caledonia, Morvant.
Brazil secretly and are transported by fish- The current murder count in Trinidad is Fforeign used cars have become very
ing boats to Trinidad, where they try to popular in Trinidad over the last few years,

Times
now 54, with 13 homicides coming in the
merge into the population and find em- first 13 days of February. with better quality than locally assembled
ployment. vehicles.
Over 2,000 deported to TT in last five years
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO Indo-Caribbean Times FEBRUARY 2008 Page 6

O ver 2,000people born in Trinidad and

Shalana missing Man caught Most TT state
for seven weeks selling cocaine agencies not
Tobago have deported back home
from the United States and other foreign

sweets in busy properly audited

countries in the last five years. Last year
alone 350 were sent back to T&T. and 156

Chaguanas
of this number were arrested for criminal
offences.. The highest total in recent times
has been 427 deportations in 2005 A number of State-run agencies are oper-
National Security Minister Martin Joseph ating without adequate internal audit func-
gave these startling figures in the Senate tions, reported director of Central Audit
while replying to a question from the Opo- The most brass faced drug dealers has been Committee Kesraj Seegobin.
sition. arrested for selling “cocaine sweetie” in full He was presenting the findings of a sur-
According to immigration information, public view along the busy Chaguanas vey evaluating the status and capabilities of
Joseph said the arrivals each year were: Main Road. internal audit functions of State agencies at
2002 — 220 deportees A vendor selling cigarettes and sweets, Ministry of Finance Investments Division
2003 — 287 deportees has turned out to be a drug-dealing kidnap "Principles of Corporate Governance," held
2004 — 356 deportees Shalana Sabrina Moonoo, 16, has been accused selling cocaine rocks wrapped in at the new Hyatt Regency Trinidad hotel,
2005 – 427 deportees missing for seven weeks. chocolates and mints. Port of Spain.
2006 — 360 deportees Moonoo, a pupil of the Charlieville ASJA Central Division police officers were Seegobin reported that they had received
2007 — 350 deportees Girls College, spent the night with her shocked to find the man brazenly selling his replies from 57 per cent of the42 State-run
The number of deportees arrested for grand-mother on December 7. Around 8 goods in public, with cocaine rocks hidden companies, and of the companies surveyed
criminal offences grew from eight in 2002 a.m. the following day, she left the grand- in 25 cents sweetie paper selling for $10 20 of them did not have internal audit func-
to 51 and 46 in 2006 and 2007 respectively, mother's home at Lennard Street, Bank Vil- and $20 TT. He is one of 21 suspect tions.
Joseph noted. lage, Carapichaima, to go to her parent's charged with the 2005 kidnapping of San-
The Minister also stated that 104 people home, a couple blocks away. gre Grande businessmen Richard and Other findings included:
were killed by the police and Defence Force Moonoo never reached home, her mother Ronald Nath.
in the line of duty between 2002 and 2007. Sharon Ramjattan said.: "I checked with all Several years ago, a drug dealer in - 17 did not have internal audit committees

US slowdown
. her friends and relatives, but nobody saw Princes Town made a small fortune selling
her." cocaine rocks with his salted nuts at High - 11 were independently positioned with in

could hurt TT
When she disappeared, Moonoo was Street, until his arrest and prosecution. the organisation
wearing a cream coloured skirt and top and

Business paid
carrying a black bag on her back. She is - 67 per cent of the internal audit depart-
around 5 feet four inches tall and has shoul-

$6500 for police

ments surveyed had access constraints in-
The emerging recession in the US could der length hair. Moonoo did not take any cluding to the board of directors, the CEO,
have a serious impact on Trinidad’s trading personal items with her.

protection: MP
company records and assets.
sector says Central Bank governor Ewart Ramjattan said although she has had to He reported that 12 of the agencies had
Williams. He said it is not clear if the re- talk to her daughter sternly before, there internal audit departments that were above
cession will result in the softening of were no quarrels or disagreement when she satisfactory.
record-high international oil prices, this disappeared. Minister in the Ministry of Finance Mar-
would affect government revenues and "She has lots of friends, boys and girls, Small business owners had to pay up to iano Browne, speaking to members of the
public sector investment and government but she did not have any special romantic $6,500 a month to the National Security media following the conference, explained
expenditure. relationship. I just hope and pray that she is Ministry for additional police protection that 14 of the 42 companies were dormant
“If there’s a slowdown in the US econ- not in danger. I just want her to return during the Christmas season, Opposition and in exit mode, leaving 28 fully opera-
omy, it is likely to affect the economies of home," Ramjattan said.

Crime watch
MP Harry Partap says. tional.
the region and the US$1 billion in exports In making the assertion, Partap said it He explained that a number of compa-
that does not come from oil, but comes was equal to the kind of protection money

grabs car thieves

nies were in start-up mode, at various stages
from exports to Caricom,” Williams noted. that criminals extort from the business own- of "maturity" and there was room for im
Williams said T&T could also suffer trading ers to keep them from being kidnapped. provement in internal audit area.
losses if the recession curtails vacation "That is protection money no matter how Browne noted that of the 42 companies
travel to the Caribbean by American citi- you look at it. The criminals are doing it il- wholly State-owned employed 17,000 peo-
Three persons were held for motor vehi-
zens. legally and the Government doing it legally. ple and had $62 billion in assets. He ex-
cle larceny by members of the Macaulay
“If Caricom is affected by a slowdown What have we descended to?" Partap said. plained that of the $62 billion
village community watch group in con-
in tourism then our non-energy export in- Many wealthy Trinidadians have been approximately $39 billion were from the
junction with officers of the SWAT security
dustries will also be affected,” said paying protection money, popularly called energy sector and the Finance Ministry was
services recently.
Williams. “coward tax”, to prevent family members comfortable with the accounting of these

Fareeza killed
.The community watch group, reinforced
by armed security officers, was recently from being kidnapped. .Amounts are said companies.
constituted by Tabaquite MP Ramesh to be as high as $10,000 a month for a fam- He added that the survey was given at

after soca show

Lawrence Maharaj and Chag-uanas MP ily or down to $1,000 a month for a single short notice and the results were only pre-
Austin Jack Warner, to combat rising crime child. Money is also extorted under the liminary.
in the community including the recent mur- guise of contributions to charitable organ-
izations.

Industrial Unit for Sub-Lease

der of a 67-old grandmother from Claxton
An El Socorro businesswoman, on her
Bay.
way home from a popular Carnival show,
A member of the watch group said St
was shot and killed while dropping a friend
Margaret police praised the group for their
home.
role in apprehending the men. He said the
Police reports are that Fareeza Mo-

2000 square feet

group was on patrol along the Macaulay
hammed, 54, was at O'Meara Road, Arima,
Trace Road when they noticed three strange
to drop off a friend after attending the Spek-
men emerging from an abandoned house in
takula Promotions' "Battle of the Sexes"
the area. He said the patrol stopped and
soca show at the Jean Pierre Complex, Mu-
Lowest rates in the area
asked the men where they were going to
curapo.
which they replied that they were just visit-

Mixed office & workplace

Around 3 a.m., the mother of three
ing family members up the street and
stopped for the friend to get out the vehicle
pointed to a parked maxi-taxi a few houses
and she was accosted by a gunman. She
away.
tried to drive off and a shot was fired.

2395 Cawthra Road, Mississuga

The patrol then left the men and drove to
Mohammed was hit in the right side of her
the house pointed out by the men and asked
chest. The friend is said to have run in the
the occupants of the house whether they
(at Queensway)
opposite direction.
were related to the three men.. They were
Mohammed's maroon-coloured Almera
not and the watch group held and called the
vehicle was discovered crashed further
police. At the station, the men were identi-
Call Amit at 905-275-2717
along O'Meara Road. Her lifeless body was
fied by an individual whose car had been
found slumped over the car's steering
recently stolen and was at the station mak-
wheel. Police believe attempted robbery is
ing a report.
the motive behind Mohammed's murder.
GUYANA NEWS Indo-Caribbean Times FEBRUARY 2008 Page 8

COMMUNITY POLITICS
More Berbice floods Probe to check weapons
N atives own 14% issued by PNC governments
of Guyana land
P AFC/ GAP
resident Bharrat Jagdeo has announced
a wide-ranging probe to determine how

call for new

many weapons were issued to government
Some 92 Amerindian communities now departments under the late Forbes Burn-

security plan
own 14 per cent of the country's landmass ham-led administration by the security
after additional land titles were recently ap- forces and have not been returned.
proved by the Guyana government. And he revealed that based upon records
Amerindian land now spreads over 30,099 provided by the Guyana Defence Force, be-
Shaneeza Majeed and her husband,
square kilometres, or roughly six and a half tween 1976 and 1979, the military issued
Sunil Ravindranauth in their yard
times as large as the whole of Trinidad. 236 weapons including General Purpose The opposition AFC and GAP are de-
Guyana has a total of 214,999 square kilo- Machines Guns and other guns of various
Several villages in East and West manding that President Bharrat Jagdeo and
metres, The communities of Rupanau; Ka- calibre to the Ministry of National Devel-
Berbice are now under water following the government roll out a new security plan
toka and Parikwarunawa, all in Region opment. Jagdeo could not say how many of
three days of intense rainfall and residents for the country. The parties took out a full
Nine were granted land titles, while the those weapons have been returned and he
who have suffered major losses are calling page newspaper asking Mr Jagdeo to for-
Massara and Yakarinta communities, also assured that the investigation which he will
for proper drainage system s to be put in mally request international assistance from
in Region Nine, received extension of titled commission would hopefully unearth this.
place. the United Kingdom, United States, CARI-
lands. He gave no time frame as to when the in-
AIDS epidemic
A Corentyne rice farmer said he was COM and Brazil to arrest the decline into
preparing to harvest his crop worth over quiry will commence, neither did he say anarchy. They also wand government to

under control
$500,000 when the heavy showers came what form it would take. hold a national conference of stakeholders
and "duck everything out." The man is now Jagdeo's announcement came following on governance and the transformation of
wondering how he is going to repay his the recovery of two weapons - a M-72 rifle the state by March 1, 2008. The advertise-
loan. Many other rice, cash crop and poul- and a beretta 9mm submachine gun that ment called on all Guyanese to support the
The The HIV/AIDS epidemic has been were issued to the Ministry of National De-
try farmers suffered similar losses, and demands to force the changes in the system
stablizing in Guyana because of the gov- velopment under the People's National
complained that poor drainage and the de- of governance and the organisation of the
ernment's aggressive policies and a goal of Congress government from criminals last
plorable condition of access dams had con- state, or for the government to resign.
having no child born with HIV. Minister of week during a gun battle at Mahaicony.
tributed significantly to the situation.
$1 billion for No talks with Corbin
Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy said all Jagdeo said the investigation would go
Guyanese should be proud of the country’s back as far as the 1950s to present, noting
better water
effort in fighting HIV, which includes com-
prehensive care, treatment, and support for
that it now worries his administration that
guns that were issued to the government
on security unless..
all people living with HIV. The first case back then have now landed in the criminals'
of AIDS in Guyana was diagnosed in 1987. hands. "The question to be asked is how
The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) Responding to a letter from leader of the
In 1989, the National AIDS Programme these weapons ended up in criminals'
and the World Bank have agreed to spend People's National CongressReform, Robert
(NAP), under the Ministry of Health, was hands," Jagdeo commented at his press con-
GY$1.2 billion (US $12 million) to im- Corbin on the mowing down of farmlands
launched and resulted in the Genito-Urinary ference yesterday afternoon. He said that
prove water quality in several communities aback of Buxton,the Office of the President
Medicine (GUM) clinic, the National Lab- his administration has decided early that it
over the next 18 months. The work to be has said that President Bharrat Jagdeo re-
oratory for Infectious Diseases and the Na- wanted a full investigation, noting that the
done by General Earth Movers UEM In- mained unprepared to engage with Corbin
tional Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS). matter was a serious one.
corporated of Trinidad and Tobago will in- unless his stated concerns are addressed
In 1992, the National AIDS Programme Among the weapons that were issued to
clude the design and construction of three properly.
Secretariat (NAPS) was established and the national development ministry were:
iron removal plants that will facilitate the Corbin wrote to Jagdeo outlining a num-
charged with the role of setting up the na- seven Smith and Wesson Pistols, Four HK
flow of treated water to more than 50,000 ber of concerns following moves by the ad-
tional response to the HIV epidemic. The 11 Light Machine Guns, eight G-3 rifles,
people. The project will benefit residents in ministration to clear dense vegetation aback
result has been a decrease in not only the four General Purpose Machine Guns, 20
Lima, on the Essequibo Coast; Vergenoe- of Buxton and several other East Coast De-
number of persons being infected but also a beretta Submachine Guns, 15 Self Loading
gen, East Bank Essequibo, and at Cotton merara villages. Jagdeo had publicly stated
reduction in the prevalence rate of HIV in rifles, 50 M-10 Pistols, six .22 rifles, six .30
Tree, West Coast Berbice. Conservationist that he would not discuss security matters
Arjoon gets
the different cross sections of society. In Carbines, six .303 rifles, 15 Self Loading with Corbin unless the Opposition Leader
2002, 9.5 percent of all deaths were attrib- rifles, six G-3 rifles, 50 M-10 pistols, 20
'Caribbean Nobel'
acknowledges that criminals were hiding
uted to HIV/AIDS. This number has re- beretta Submachine Guns, 15 M-70 rifles out in Buxton.
duced significantly to 6.4 percent in 2007 and five M-72 rifles. Corbin has said that it was unacceptable
and is expected to be further reduced to 5.6
that the Lusignan tragedy was being used
percent by 2011.

Bill to defer local

as an excuse for a brutal assault on people
and wanton and unprovoked destruction of

Working on sea gov't polls passed their property in Buxton and neighbouring
communities.

defences at Ogle
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-
Well known conservationist Annette Ar- proved by the National Assembly , paving visive politics with the "serious security sit-
joon has been awared the The Anthony N the way for municipal and local govern- uation in Guyana." He said that the party
Sabga Caribbean Award for Excellence ment elections to be held by December 1, had always been ready to meet uncondi-
(ANSCAFE), considered to be the 2008. tionally to discuss the security situation and
Caribbean Nobel prize. Arjoon, who is Minister of Local Government and Re- to chart a workable way forward. With re-
project coordinator and secretary to the gional Development, Kellawan Lall opened gard to the acknowledgement, Corbin said
Work on a $180M sea defence between the debate on the bill which saw lively ex-
Guyana Marine Turtle Conservation Soci- that criminals were in every community of
Turkeyen and Ogle on the Rupert Craig changes before it was given the full support
ety (GMTCS), shares the TT$500,000 cash Guyana.
Highway could be completed by Septem- of the House. The parties involved blamed
prize.with Jamaican Claudette Pious. An- Corbin also addressed the non-response
ber this year. Contracting firm Falcon each other for the yearly postponements
other Guyanese, Professor David Daby- of the Vigilance police when the gunmen
Transportation is now creating 1.1 kilome- since 1994. Lall, however, gave the assur-
deen, was also recognised for arts and went into Lusignan, saying that even Pres-
tres of "rip rap" sea defence which was not ance that all the machinery was in place for
letters while Barbadian James Husbands ident Jagdeo should know that the police at
done when sea wall repairs took place sev- elections to be held on or before December
copped an award for science and technol- that station lacked the capacity to deal with
eral years ago. 1 next year.
ogy. Arjoon has been instrumental in pro- the situation, and that it was the head of
Presently the area between the ocean and This eleven year period is one of the
tecting Shell Beach, a 1,000-mileecosystem state who should be blamed for not estab-
the old sea wall which is very close to the longest that Guyana has gone without local
in the North West Region, where four lishing a SWAT team.
road is being cleared and filled. The plan is government elections. Several parties in-
species of marine turtle nest. She is also the A proposal to establish a militia has been
to construct a rock slope and a rock crest to cluding the ruling PPP will take part.
managing director of the Shell Beach Ad- around for years but no definitive action has
control the tides.
ventures Company. been taken to get it started.
The Plight of Indians in Guyana
GUYANA NEWS Indo-Caribbean Times FEBRUARY 2008 Page 9

By Roop Misir, PhD Indians suffered under various regimes instance. Here a helpless soul proposed that beastly monsters took turns and forced her
for $5 (US), I could have her services for to perform oral sex —in broad daylight and
As time progressed, their descendants ac- one full day. And for $50 (US), she will be in full view of the public. Did this incident
tively participated in every facet of the at my call for one entire week! show us who is in charge here?
country’s economic life. Today, they con- Crime—Criminals wishing to get “easy
stitute the largest ethnic group in a politi- money” pose as police or army personnel, Guyanese Speak Out
cally independent country of Guyana. and prey on unsuspecting overseas visitors/
However, events in recent times have returnees. Also, bandits armed with hi-tech This latest pogrom against Indians has
caused a lot of uneasiness. For one thing, weaponry attack private homes of Indians. provoked even conservative elements in the
Background all Guyanese had to endure nearly three In many of these encounters, not only are Guyanese society to speak out. Up to this
This Article was written in 2002 to high- decades of a black dictatorship from the money and jewelry taken, but also victim time, people were silent. For the first time,
light the plight of Indians in Guyana. Al- mid-1960’s to the early 1990’s. Over the who resisted sometimes lose their lives! they are now coming out openly and ad-
though there have been changes, people years, government corruption, political Suicide—it is true that the helpless usu- mitting the truth. In fact, they are saying
may argue that improvements in the eco- nepotism and overt racial discrimination led ally flock to houses of God to get (at least that it was Indians who were targeted for
nomic life of the country and its people to declining opportunities—especially for temporary) solace. However, many Indians the mindless racial violence in Guyana.
have essentially been put on hold. To some Indians. A weak, corrupt and incompetent have lost hope completely. A friend of mind This has always been the official position
extent this is a consequence of the high em- national government was unable to main- recently narrated a very tragic tale of a of the ROAR Party. Now, ROAR has re-
igration rate and consequent loss of skilled tain law and order. Thus, highly skilled and young Indian woman who committed sui- newed its call for a UN Peacekeeping Mis-
workers. However, an underlying factor is educated Guyanese, were forced to immi- cide to escape the daily beatings of her un- sion—a call that first went unheeded when
the apparent breakdown of law and order as grate to any country that were willing to employed and constantly drunk husband. it was first issued in 1998.
marauding gangs rob people and kill other. take them, but mainly to affluent countries After the funeral, friends of the husband ac- Isn’t it about time that the world wake up
For its part, the government claims that (EU, USA and Canada). cused him of being responsible for his to the plight of Indians in Guyana, and take
these attacks affect all citizens, not neces- wife’s death. And because this was too for decisive action before it’s too late?
sarily Indian.. Social Problems facing Indians the husband to take, he did what many
On January 26, 2008 in the Indian dom- young Indian Guyanese find expedient to Guyana Blessed but Blighted
inated village of Lusignan East Coast De- Although Indians are in the majority, their do--he took his own life!
merara, eleven more innocent people were numbers are actually dwindling due to em- Guyana is blessed with abundant fertile
massacred in cold blood in the wee hours igration. Strange as it may seem, President Euphoria then Exodus agricultural lands where almost any crops
of the morning while sleeping. From all ac- Bharrat Jagdeo and members of his gov- can grow year round. On its vast savannahs
counts, robbery was not the motive. To no ernment may be ethnically Indian, but their There was much euphoria following the are some of the largest cattle ranches. Its
one surprise, the victims were of Indian de- efforts are directed to retaining power at all restoration of democracy in 1992 with the thriving mining industries (gold, diamonds
scent. cost. Out of necessity, therefore, they must election of Dr. Cheddi Bharat Jagan as the and bauxite) are generating much revenue.
cater to the needs of opposition and their President. But all this soon evaporated for Recently discovered offshore reserves of oil
Below is a revised version of the 2002 Ar- mainly non-Indian supporters. In the mean- various reasons. Perhaps, there was no and gas can some day transform this strug-
ticle: time ALL Guyanese suffer, but the brunt of Truth and Reconciliation Commission to gling country into an energy powerhouse.
the hardships are borne by Indian people investigate wrong doings committed by the Yet, things are not all roses these days. Our
Indians Replaced Slavery who have supported the ruling political previous black dictatorship. Even though country remains blighted.
in British Guiana party in every national election since 1953. Dr. Jagan publicly declares that he heads a Of course, there are always beneficiaries
Below are examples daily social prob- national government, the main thrust of his following tragedies the recent massacre at
Success usually depends on how well we lems that citizens have to endure under var- policies is geared to appeasing black sup- Lusignan and other areas in Guyana. Years
can address and solve problems that con- ious governments. porters and the opposition. The question is: of confrontation, conflict and crime by ma-
front us in our daily lives. Like other citi- Alcoholism—There is no shortage of al- Like other Indian leaders, was Dr. Jagan af- rauding gangs accelerate the exodus of
zens in the South American country of coholic beverages. Rum is one of the flicted with a uniquely Indian disease—ap- Guyanese to countries faced with declining
Guyana, the Indian population is fully inte- cheapest and most readily available bever- peasing others while taking his own populations and a shortage of skilled and
grated into the mainstream milieu. Their an- ages. It can be bought illegally at any time supporters for granted? talented people. Would this reality help ex-
cestors were taken to the colony of British of the day in every corner store or “cake An incident (July 03 2002) may exem- plain why overseas countries like Canada,
Guiana to work on the sugar plantations fol- shop”. Anyone regardless of age can enjoy plify the present plight of Indian people. the USA and the EU choose to turn a blind
lowing the abolition of African slavery in a drink at any time and place. During an illegal procession to the presi- eye as Guyana faces an uncertain future,
1838. In addition to saving the sugar indus- Prostitution—Poor and destitute girls dential palace, the pro-Indian ROAR Party bordering on the brink of collapse?
try from certain collapse, our ancestors sin- are forced into the world’s oldest profession claims that hundreds of Indians were mer-
gle-handedly built the rice industry. By the at a young age. As a visitor returning to cilessly beaten up, sexually molested, [Dr. Roop Misir is an Indo-Guyanese
time Indian immigration ended in 1917, home after many years, I recall being ac- abused, robbed and several businesses Canadian Teacher with the Toronto District
nearly a quarter million Indians were taken costed by girls younger than my own torched. In one particularly gruesome inci- School Board. Readers may wish to contact
from India to this colony. daughters. Of course, I dismissed these ad- dent, a gang of African men grabbed a him at [email protected]]
vances. But I vividly recall one particular young Indian girl off the street. Then these

CRIME: River bandits, kidnapping on Regent Street, threats to ministers’ children

River bandits strike attacked and robbed by three men all armed
Child found with and tried to seek help, but he was grabbed
again at Stanleytown with handguns.
In April also last year nine bandits in- concussion grenade
there by the men, and taken away in a wait-
ing car.
vaded the Demerara Oxygen Company
Five heavily-armed gunmen invaded the
home of a Stanleytown, West Bank Demer-
Limited headquarters at Eccles, East Bank Security forces recently found a small Threats to ministers'
children at schools
Demerara and carted off some $5M. boy in possession of a concussion grenade
ara businessman Gladwyn Lall, robbing
In June 2006 a gang of seven masked in the Friendship, ECD, area, which led to
him of over $1.5M in cash while threaten-
men carted off $30M from Muneshwer's the arrest of a male and a female relative.
ing to kill him and his family. The gunmen,
Hardware Ltd., Water Street, They held up According to a police press release the child Terrifying calls to Georgetown schools
who arrived at the man's home via the De-
the five unarmed security guards on duty at was later sent away in the custody of his days threatening to harm the children of
merara River, around 6:40 pm, and held up
the time, and used welding torches to cut mother and the female relative was released government ministers have been described
the family and a worker. They ransacked
open the safe. The police have been criti- on bail. The search operations was part of by Education Minister Shaik Baksh as cal-
the house and found around $1.5M in cash
cized for lacking boats and other resources Operation Restore Order. lous and cowardly. A call was received at
and jewellery before escaping by boat.
to adequately patrol the rivers and track Queen's College stating that the ministers'
Armed men kidnap
Armed bandits have routinely used the
down bandits. children attending that school would be ab-
river as a getaway route after committing
robberies and other crimes along the East Now its motorbike bandits man in Regent Street ducted. Calls were reported to have been re-
ceived at St Roses and St Agnes schools
Bank and also West Bank Demerara. Some
conveying similar threats. In addition, a call
recent events where bandits used the rivert
Motorcycle bandits have struck in the The kidnapings have started up again. was received at the ministry that a bomb
include:
city of Georgetown, robbing the Regent Two armed men last week forced a man had been planted at St Joseph's High, while
December 11 last year at Anna Catherina,
Street internet cafe Mathave's Internet into their vehicle in an apparent kidnapping a call was made to St Winefride's inform-
West Coast Demerara, a gang armed with
Cafeof an undisclosed sum of cash before after first chasing him from King Street to ing them that gunmen were on their way to
guns, robbed Basdeo Sahadar of $5.7 mil-
escaping. Regent Street. The man had been about to the school. This led to classes at these
lion and 355 ounces of raw gold valued at
The bandits, one of whom was armed leave in his car but instead jumped out and schools being disrupted. Mobile patrols
$55 million.
with a handgun, grabbed the day's takings started running away with two armed men have been allocated around schools.
In September last year staff at the Digi-
at . They also grabbed an employee's cellu- in pursuit. He ran into a Regent Street store
cel outlet at Grove Public Road, EBD, were
lar phone and robbed two male customers.
BUSINESS Indo-Caribbean Times FEBRUARY 2008 Page 10
Using an Supercharge Canadians hold Canadian house
RRSP for a your wealth record debt building, price
Down Payment creation strategy averaging $80,000 per household, says the rises set to slow
Canadians are juggling record debt loads

author of a new report who warns job losses

By Vic Sarju would push many families over a fiscal
cliff. Housing starts will fall by about seven
Most people rely on an investment strat- per cent this year but will remain strong as
"If we do have a recession, we wouldn't
egy as one of the keys to achieving finan- 2008 should be the seventh straight year
be as badly off as the U.S.," says Roger
cial freedom one day. But for many people, with starts above 200,000 units, Canada
Sauve, a consultant who wrote "The Cur-
‘one day’ is in the distant future. Some in- Mortgage and Housing Corp. has pre-
rent State of Canadian Family Finances" re-
vestors who wish to bring financial freedom dicted..
leased Monday. "But a lot of households
a bit closer are looking to less traditional in- The federal housing agency said it ex-
couldn't keep up."
vestment strategies that allow their savings pects 211,700 housing starts this year, off
Rudy Lochan The report describes a perfect storm of
to work harder for them. That’s why I want from 228,343 in 2007.
flat earnings, increased spending and plum-
to share a new twist on an old adage: The "Despite some global financial instabil-
As the popularity of using Registered Re- meting savings. It comes as an economic
best things in life aren’t always free, they’re ity with regards to the U.S. housing market,
slow-down in the U.S. spurs concern over a
tirement Savings Plan (RRSP) for the pur- borrowed. Canada continues to experience robust em-
full-blown American recession and possi-
pose of buying a home increases, I am Borrowing money to invest is a strategy ployment levels, ongoing income gains and
ble fallout north of the border.
surprised at the number of people in the that can help to accelerate your investment low mortgage rates," Bob Dugan, chief
Total accumulated debt was 131 per cent
mortgage industry that still do not under- growth, compared to a traditional wealth economist for CMHC, said in a statement.
of Canadian household income last year
stand the basics of how this program works. creation strategy. A borrow to invest strat- This has strongly supported Canada's hous-
after income tax and transfers such as child
For those of you who are unfamiliar with it, egy is exactly as it sounds. You borrow ing markets, he said.
benefits. That's up from 91 per cent in 1990,
Canada Customs & Revenue Agency money, buy investments, pay the applicable "However, housing starts are expected to
Sauve says.
(CCRA - formerly Revenue Canada) calls interest and taxes, and keep what’s left over decrease in 2008 mainly due to recent in-
Many consumers borrowed cash at lower
this program the Home Buyer’s Plan. after the loan is repaid. What makes this creases in house prices, which will push
interest rates to buy more expensive homes
Generally speaking, the Home Buyer’s strategy so attractive? Two things: mortgage carrying costs higher for home
as real estate prices steadily rise. But many
Plan (HBP) is a program where each indi- 1.Compound Returns. An investment buyers."
Canadians, especially those earning net
vidual going on the title of the home can loan allows you to make a large lump-sum Existing home sales, as measured by the
middle incomes of about $60,000 a year,
withdraw up to $20,000 from their RRSP to investment today. This allows a larger Multiple Listing Service, are expected to
have racked up credit-card debt that's al-
buy or build a qualifying home. (Don’t get amount to work for you for a much longer fall by 3.9 per cent to 499,650 units in 2008,
most doubled since 1990 to $22,500 from
too caught up on the ‘qualifying’ idea; period of time. For example, assuming a while 2009 will see an additional decrease
$12,000 on average, Sauve says.
nearly every typical type of residence is in- 9% long-term rate of return, a $10,000 to 488,300.
"They've continued spending with more
cluded). This means that three people buy- lump sum deposit would grow to $23,674 Last year, such sales increased by 7.6 per
debt and less savings."
ing together can withdraw up to $60,000 (3 in 10 years. However, an investment of cent over 2006 to about 520,000 units.
Most households socked away $1,000 in
x $20,000) collectively. Withdrawals that $1,000 at the start of each year for 10 years As most resale markets move toward
savings last year, compared to an average
meet all of the CCRA HBP conditions are would grow to only $16,560 in the same 10 more balanced conditions, growth in the av-
of $7,500 in 1990, says the report.
not included in income in the year of with- years. This is the power of compound re- erage MLS price is forecast to slow to 5.2

Plan to curb US
drawal. turns. per cent in 2008 and 3.8 per cent in 2009.
This program is also generally restricted 2.Interest Deductibility. In most cases,

housing foreclosures $1b for Canadian

to first time home buyers, or those individ- the interest you pay on an investment loan
uals who have not owned a home for the re- is tax deductible, which can significantly

small towns
quired qualification period. For those reduce the rate of return your investment
interested in determining eligibility there is needs to earn to make this strategy prof- The United States is trying to limit the ef-
a simple test that can be followed on itable. In general the ‘break even’ rate of re- fort of the housing crisis by a plan for
CCRA’s website. turn you need to achieve on your lenders to help homeowners by temporar-
investment (the rate of return at which OTTAWA–After coming under heavy
The total amount withdrawn for the home ily suspending foreclosures for people fac-
you’re better off borrowing to invest), is criticism, the Harper government now is
purchase has to be withdrawn completely ing the imminent loss of a home.
lower than the interest rate you’re paying promising immediate help for struggling
in the same calendar year. In order for the one-industry towns.
amount to be eligible for withdrawal it must on the loan! The Bush admininistration proposal is
Does this sound too good to be true? It Federal sources say the Tories will table
have been in your RRSP for a minimum of aimed at delinquent homeowners whose
isn’t! a motion today calling on Parliament to
90 days. Through the program you have the mortgages are 90 days or more past due.
If this concept sounds intriguing, I’d like fast-track approval of the $1-billion com-
ability to withdraw the amount all at once, Called Project Lifeline, it will will allow
to explain to you how an investment loan munity development fund they announced
or through a series of withdrawals not to ex- overdue homeowners to suspend foreclo-
can improve your long-term investment last month.
ceed $20,000 per individual. sures for 30 days while they try to work out
growth potential. It’s an exciting opportu- The government previously said the fund
After you have withdrawn this amount, more affordable terms with lenders.
nity and I encourage you to ask many ques- would only go forward if the opposition
you then have up to 15 years to repay it to The plan initially will involve six of the
tions. If you find this information too passed the federal budget.
your RRSP. You are required to start your largest mortgage lenders -- Bank of Amer-
intriguing to wait, please call my office im- The promise to help struggling commu-
repayments the second year following the ica Corp., Citigroup Inc., Countrywide Fi-
mediately and we’ll meet at your earliest nities only if the budget passed was criti-
year you made your withdrawals. Normally nancial Corp., JPMorgan Chase & Co.,
convenience to discuss the suitability of this cized as heavy-handed. Provincial premiers
you are required each year to repay an Washington Mutual Inc. and Wells Fargo &
strategy for your own situation. Remember: not only blasted the political tactic, but also
amount that is equal to 1/15 of the total Co.
The best things in life aren’t always free, called the promised sum insufficient.
amount you withdrew. There is no tax lia- The motion will be tabled this and will
bility personally incurred when you make they’re borrowed. The plan builds on progress begun by the
P.S. In our meeting I will stress that bor- require the unanimous consent of all parties
this minimum payment back to your RRSP administration's Hope Now Alliance, which
rowing to invest is not for everyone. It is to go forward. The NDP promptly offered
(at least not from the HBP). involves freezing the interest rates of bor-
only recommended if you are willing to its support.
Since your earnings normally increase as rowers with adjustable rate mortgages.
take on some additional risk and are finan- If the motion passes, the government
the years go by, it is important to try and would quickly table a bill authorizing $1
pay back the amount you borrowed as cially able to meet your loan payment obli- The program announced last week it had
gations and pay taxes on any gains. billion in spending – even before the fed-
quickly as possible. This gives you the po- helped about 545,000 subprime borrowers
Using borrowed money to finance the eral budget.
tential to get a higher tax deduction for your and 324,000 prime borrowers in the second
RRSP contributions in your higher earning purchase of securities involves greater risk half of 2007.
years, as well as allowing for more years of than a purchase using cash resources only.
Make your car spotless clean for spring

Maurizio’s Detailing
tax sheltered growth while the money is in If you borrow money to purchase securities,
your RRSP. your responsibility to repay the loan and
For those interested, a more in-depth re- pay interest as required by its terms remains
view of the program can be found by visit- the same even if the value of the securities
ing CCRA’s website at: www.cra-arc.gc.ca, purchases declines.

Complete Mobile Service for total interior

or by calling 1-800-267-1267
Vic Sarju is an Investment Advisor with
For more information contact Rudy Locha, Berkshire Securities Inc. Member CIPF. Vic shampoo and exterior polishing
can be reached at Tel: 416-686-6127; Toll
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President and Broker for Anava Financing

Call 647-225-6287
Inc. He can be reached directly at Free: 1 888 686-6127. The opinions ex-
416-410- 7501 or by e-mail at pressed are those of the author and may not
[email protected] necessarily be those of Berkshire Securities
Inc.
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 Indo-Caribbean Times FEBRUARY 2008 Page 15
Family Fair Valentine Dinner & Dance

North American Muslim Federation,a Island Grove Restaurant holds its Valentine
non profit organization based in Toronto, is Dance February 16 starting at 8.00 p.m, at
calling on Ontarians to enjoy the Family 4525 Ebenezer Road, Unit 8, Brampton
Day holiday, on Monday, Feb 18th 2008, (Gore Plaza). The event includes a buffet
with quality time devoted to their families. dinner and a special DJ. Call 905-913-1200
NAMF has organized a Family Fair on for info.
that day, open to all and free of charge so
families who wish to enjoy themselves in- Valentine Week Dances
doors and closer to home may do so with Northern Tropics Restaurant holds four
love and respect. The family is being af- days of romantic Valentine Week dances
fected more these days with the growing on Thursday February . 14, Friday Febru-
demands on parents’ time. Attractions at ary 15, Saturday February 16, Sunday Feb-
the Fair includes International Food, an Is- ruary 17, and possibly Monday February
lamic Art Exhibition, Fashion show, cloth- 18 (dependent on weather) at 880
ing, toys, books, jewellery, henna and face Ellesmere Road, Unit 202 in Scarborough,
painting, and a full day of fun and activities starting at 8.00 pm each evening.

Moustache cost him his job

for the whole family. . Caribbean and Canadian cuisine are avail-
The Honourable Bas Balkissoon, MP, is abe and a fully stocked bar. For info call
slated to visit during the day as well the Ho- 416-754-8767 or 416-839-9275.
nourable Councillor Chin Lee.
BHAGVAD GITA FOR EACH HOME This Indian airline steward loved his elaborate family tradition moustache, but
The event will be held at 4140 Finch Ave
E Scarborough, ON, M1S 3T9. It begins at 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.
11.00 a.m. and continues until 9.00 p.m.
The Gita can be available in bulk at the fol-
Admission is free.
lowing contacts: Donations are expected to
“Families need a break from the winter
fund further copies; any individual or or-
blues, inasmuch they need a nearby activity
ganization wishing to assist in this project
where they can all participate at an afford-
can contact us.
able cost”, says the Executive Director of
this newly expanded organization, Farooq
CANADA
Khan
Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton
“Respect of each others culture is crucial
Ramnarine Sahadeo 905 671 9233 e-mail
when entertainment and family are con-
[email protected], Omesh Sharma
cerned”, says Habeeb Alli, Communica-
[email protected], Chandan
tions Coordinator of this federally
Persaud at 416-754-2382, Gulcharan at
incorporated body. “We call upon all agen-
416 481-5777 [email protected],
cies and families to support this initiative
Ram Jagessar at 416 289 9088 or
and I hope you really do have a good time”,
[email protected]
he added.
Call Habeeb Alli, at Tel: 416 823 1738 or
RICHMOND HILL
Email: [email protected]
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

Kamla’s Fashions Inc.

Winnipeg: at 26th annual beauty pageant in New Jersey.
Ajodhya Mahadeo 204-661-6643

British Columbia
Chameli Seegobin 604-945-9510, e-mail
address [email protected], 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: [email protected]

We accept orders from schools, clubs and organizations

Massive clearance sale continues in the factory outlet (same location)

Fill your barrels to send back home
Youth T-Shirts and Tank Tops - $2.00 each
Adult Golf Shirts $5.00
Ladies Leggings and Capri Pants $3.00
Children’s Clothing from $2.00 each
Adult Tee-Shirts in a variety of sizes and colours - $2.00
Wide range of Winter Clothing on Sale
Scrap for cleaning - $5.00 a bag

Wide variety of transfers/screen prints – Babies, Children, Humour, Christmas, topical,

geographical/Souvenir from 50 cents.
How to avoid cancer
HEALTH AND FASHION Indo-Caribbean Times FEBRUARY 2008 Page 16
RECIPE

Deviled eggs - hot

No more Spice
Cancer Update from John Hopkins: growth of healthy cells. To obtain live en-

Girls reunions
zymes for building healthy cells try and Cooking time Oven temperature
Every person has cancer cells in the body. drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables
These cancer cells do not show up in the 30 minutes 350 degrees F.
including bean sprouts) and eat some raw
standard tests until they have multiplied to vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are
a few billion. When doctors tell cancer pa- INGREDIENTS:
destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F 1 medium onion
tients that there are no more cancer cells in (40 degrees C). Don't hold your breath waiting for the next
their bodies after treatment, it just means 1/4 cup butter or margarine
Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which Spice Girls reunion. Geri Halliwell, a.k.a.
the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells 1/2 teaspoon prepared mustard
have high caffeine. Green tea is a better al- Ginger Spice, said a second outing "proba-
because they have not reached the de- 1 teaspoon curry powder
ternative and has cancer-fighting properties. bly won't happen ever again." The quintet's
tectable size. Seasoning
Water- best to drink purified water, or fil- Return of the Spice Girls World Tour wraps
Cancer cells occur between 6 to more 8 hard-cooked eggs.
tered, to avoid known toxins and heavy February 26 in Toronto.
than 10 times in a person's lifetime. metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic,
When the person's immune system is SAUCE:
avoid it. 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
strong the cancer cells will be destroyed Meat protein is difficult to digest and re- "This is the last time you will ever get to
and prevented from multiplying and form- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
quires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undi- see this Girl Power, the five Spices on the
ing tumors. 1/2 - l teaspoon curry powder
gested meat remaining in the intestines stage as one," said Halliwell, who left the
When a person has cancer it indicates 1 1/4 cups milk
become putrefied and leads to more toxic group in May 1998 but was a chief propo-
the person has multiple nutritional defi- few drops Worcestershire sauce
buildup. nent of the current reunion.
ciencies. These could be due to genetic, en- Seasoning.
Cancer cell walls have a tough protein
vironmental, food and lifestyle factors. covering. By refraining from or eating less That said, Halliwell told Billboard.com that
To overcome the multiple nutritional ef- TOPPING:
meat it frees more enzymes to attack the she would not entirely shut the door on a bit
ficiencies, changing diet and including sup- 2/3 cup fine fresh bread crumbs
protein walls of cancer cells and allows the more Spice if fans really, really want it.
plements will strengthen the immune 2 tablespoons butter or margarine.
body's killer cells to destroy the cancer
system. cells. "What this reunion taught me is you can
Chemotherapy involves poisoning the Chop the onion very finely, then saute in the
Some supplements build up the immune never say never," she said. "If you had
rapidly-growing cancer cells and also de- hot butter or margarine, stir in the mustard,
system (IP6, Florescence, Essiac, anti-oxi- asked me 10 years ago whether there'd ever
stroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the curry powder, and seasoning. Cut the eggs
dants, vitamins, minerals, EFA's etc.) to en- be a Spice Girls reunion concert, I'd have
bone marrow, gastro-intestinal tract etc, and in half lengthwise, remove the yolks, chop,
able the body's own killer cells to destroy gone, 'No way!"'
can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, and blend with the onion mixture, pack into
cancer cells. Other supplements like vita- whites, put cut side downward in a long
heart, lungs etc. min E are known to cause apostasies, or Halliwell said the reunion was "an experi-
Radiation while destroying cancer cells shallow ovenproof dish. Make a sauce of
programmed cell death, the body's normal ence of a lifetime," and denied reports that
also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, the butter, flour blended with the curry
method of disposing of damaged, un- it was coming to a premature end because
tissues and organs. powder, milk, and Worcestershire sauce,
wanted, or unneeded cells. of infighting among the five Spices.
Initial treatment with chemotherapy and taste and season well. Pour over the eggs -
Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and do this carefully so they are not disturbed
radiation will often reduce tumor size. spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will
However prolonged use of chemotherapy in the dish. Top with the crumbs and butter
help the cancer warrior be a survivor. or margarine - in tiny pieces - and bake for
and radiation do not result in more tumor Anger, unforgive-ness and bitterness put the
destruction. approximately 15 - 20 minutes in a pre-
body into a stressful and acidic environ- heated 350°F. oven until the top is crisp and
When the body has too much toxic bur- ment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving
den from chemotherapy and radiation the brown, or if preferred put under a hot
spirit . Learn to relax and enjoy life. broiler. Serves 4.
immune system is either compromised or Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxy-
destroyed, hence the person can succumb to

For a Safe, Green & Friendly Community

genated environment. Exercising daily, and
various kinds of infections and complica- deep breathing help to get more oxygen
tions. down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy
Chemotherapy and radiation can cause is another means employed to destroy can-
cancer cells to mutate and become resistant cer cells.
and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also

CHANDRA KUMARAN
cause cancer cells to spread to other sites. Plastic warning
An effective way to battle cancer is to
1. No plastic containers in micro.
starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with
2. No water bottles in freezer.
the foods it needs to multiply.
3. No plastic wrap in microwave. Dioxin
chemicals causes cancer, especially breast
Cancer cells feed on: cancer. Dioxins are highly pois- onous to Your new voice for change.
Ajax as community of first choice
the cells of our bodies. Don't freeze your
Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off plastic bottles with water in them as this re-
sugar it cuts off one important food supply leases dioxins from the plastic.
Advocate for: Your new voice to
to the cancer cells. Sugar substitutes like We should not be heating our food in the
Nutra Sweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc are made microwave using plastic containers. This
with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better  More green spaces.
especially applies to foods that contain in  Improve safety,
natural substitute would be Manuka honey fat.
or molasses but only in very small amounts. Conservation areas.  Reduce crime.
The combination of fat, high heat, and
Table salt has a chemical added to make it plastics releases dioxin into the food and ul-
 Recycling and better waste  Control speeding.
white in color. Better alternative is Bragg's timately into the cells of the body. management  Improve traffic management.
amino or sea salt. Instead use glass, such as Corning Ware, Energy saving.
Milk causes the body to produce mucus,
especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Can-
Pyrex or ceramic containers for heating Reduction of carbon dioxide Inform you on how:
food. You get the same results, only without emissions.
cer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and the dioxin. So such things as TV dinners,  To access free, affordable
substituting with unsweetened soy milk instant ramen and soups, etc., should be re-
Improvement and expansion community funded
cancer cells are being starved. moved from the container and heated in of library facilities. programs & grants.
Cancer cells thrive in an acid environ- something else. Access to all Durham Library
Manage:
ment . A meat-based diet is acidic and it is Paper isn't bad but you don't know what facilities for Ajax residents.
best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather is in the paper. It's just safer to use tempered
than beef or pork. Meat also contains live-  Increased sports and
glass, Corning Ware, etc. A while ago some recreation facilities,  Your tax dollars more smartly,
stock antibiotics, growth hormones and par- of the fast food restaurants moved away
asites, which are all harmful, especially to Improved services offered by thereby keeping your taxes
from the foam containers to paper. The
people with cancer. dioxin problem is one of the reasons. Plas- the City, to a minimum
A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and tic wrap, such as Saran, is just as dangerous  Visual & performing arts
juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little when placed over foods to be cooked in the affordable by all.
fruits help put the body into an alkaline en-
(905) 239-4222 or (905) 686-9282
microwave. As the food is nuked, the high
vironment. About 20% can be from cooked heat causes poisonous us toxins to actually

Email [email protected]
food including beans. Fresh vegetable melt out of the plastic wrap and into the
juices provide live enzymes that are easily food. Cover food with a paper towel in-
www.chandra4ajax.com
absorbed and reach down to cellular levels stead.
within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance
RELIGION
MEMORIES OF LUNCH AT BUSH LOT BERBICE Hindi gets a
Indo-Caribbean Times FEBRUARY 2008 Page 17

boost in TT
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 Sat Maharaj
Saraswati Vidya Niketan Hindu school at Cornelia Ida, West Coast Guyana
Vidya Niketan, the secondary Hindu School Hindi is getting a fillip in Trinidad and To-
at Cornelia Ida, W.C.D.was being con- it came down back or not and my heart ity. The energy, cooperation and organiza- bago, where around 23 per cent of the mil-
structed and in need of funds. The vision- missed a beat each time the rote almost tion evident at their meetings inspire even lion population is of Indian extraction but
ary Swami Aksharananda was also showing reached her clapping hands. If it fell on the the cynical. only about five per cent of them speak the
me parts of the country inhabited mostly by muddy ground she would have to start all Some have recognized that knowledge is language fluently.
Hindus. It was an exceptional learning ex- over again and my stomach was already an appropriate gift for any occasion from Satnarayan Maharaj, secretary general of
perience even for someone who was born making some noises and carrying on its birthdays, weddings, to funerals and have Trinidad and Tobago's Sanatan Dharma
in this land of many waters, and religions. own conversation. I recalled my cricket donated Gitas so that each person who at- Maha Sabha (SDMS), a major Hindu or-
We were on our way to D’Edward village to days when I was a slip fielder and contem- tends the fundraising dinner on March 15, ganisation, has announced that his organi-
visit Kumkarran Rampersaud (Rudy) and plated using my diving skills if that roti at 6.00 pm at Malton Community Center sation has developed a Hindi curriculum to
his wife Nirwattie, a particularly special slipped past her hand. My anxiety was ill 905 615 4640 will get one free. Attendees be used in its 60 primary and secondary in-
couple. We had traveled that way before founded. With her years of practice her will also learn some history of the village. stitutions.
and always had the best of hospitality: a hands seemed to have eyes W were eating For tickets call Dave 416 663 4037; Ramraj "We have also developed Hindi cards in
bedroom for each of us, any amount of veg- in minutes. Lunch was fresh, tasty, nour- 416 292 5650 Roy 905 487 0940. order to give the boost that Hindi needs in
etable dishes and spice mangoes that prob- ishing, pleasant, digestible and best of all WARNING: SEATING IS LIMITED SO Trinidad and Tobago," he said at the annual
ably originated from Kerela, India. we did not have to kill any animals or upset GET YOUR TICKETS AND COME World Hindi Day celebrations here. Ma-
Rudy was badly in need of a kidney and the balance of nature just to have our fill. EARLY. haraj said the SDMS would put all its re-
his life partner was donating one of hers in Dessert was a fresh large juicy watermelon Visit www.bushlotmandir.com to find sources into enhancing the teaching of
order to give him a new lease of life. The given to us by another devotee along the out how you can support the cause and for Hindi. Maharaj pointed out that in its 175
operation however had to take place at NU way. Pizza, hamburger and fast food lovers information on this and some of the other 'mandirs' or temples scattered across the
Hospital in Bangalore, India. We went to eat your heart out. Private Hindu learning centers in Guyana country, Hindi is used in all its prayers with
see them off with all their good Karma ac- These trips had convinced me of at least Want GITAS for distribution: In Canada interpretations.
companying them on their first trip to one axiom. Once I was with Swami I will contact [email protected]. "Every morning, there is a half-an-hour
BHARAT, the land of their ancestors. never starve, or have to rent a hotel room. In Guyana contact prayer service in Hindi, which is another

Yogi breaks own

We stopped at Bush Lot on the way as This kind of hospitality was part of a cul- [email protected] method used to propagate the learning of
Swami wanted to expose me to an example ture that arrived in Guyana since May 5, Hindi in Trinidad and Tobago and the most
1838 when indentured Servants landed

record for ice

of BHAKTI. She was in her late sixties convenient channel is through the schools,"
lived alone in a house that she and late hus- aboard the Whitby and the Hesperus. My Maharaj noted. Hindi was brought into the
band struggled to build. Her children and own view however is that times have Caribbean in 1838 when the first batch of

immersion
grandchildren were living in USA but she changed and that Hindus, as a whole did not indentured labourers, principally from Uttar
confessed that she cannot live in a country pay keen attention to formal religious edu- Pradesh and Bihar, came here to work on
where ice falls from the sky, hassa (cas- cation in a classroom of the kind experi- the sugar plantations following the freedom
cadura to my Trinidadian bhais) and enced when the late Swami Purnanandaji of African slaves.
established Cove and John College. A man who calls himself a "tantric master"
chicken comes out of a fridge; where peo- has broken his own world record by stand- Hindi is not too commonly used since the
ple in the same house hardly talk to each A Canadian Chapter, of the BUSH LOT older Indian generation has died, and the
SANATAN DHARMA VISHNU ing in ice for 72 minutes. The 48-year-old
other and do not even know the neighbours. Wim Hof stood on a Manhattan street in a younger generation seeks refuge in English.
She liked to attend the mandir that was built MANDIR is trying to raise funds to com- Even the sacred religious Hindu texts, like
plete a VEDANTA ACADEMY on the clear container filled with ice for an hour
about 40 years ago and replaced the original and 12 minutes jon January 26. He set the the Ramayana, Gita, Upanishads, Mahab-
wooden structure of the early part of 1900. premises. This is an indication that Hindus harata among several others, are now avail-
are beginning to realize that in order to pre- world record for full body ice contact en-
She wanted to talk to her neighbours at the durance in 2004, when he immersed him- able in English. Most Hindu prayers or
bottom of her house daily, die where she serve their culture, their language, history, religious services are conducted in English,
music, philosophy must all be taught in Pri- self in ice for one hour and eight minutes.
was born and have her body cremated with Hof says he survives by controlling his with some references in Hindi.
real fire. vate Institutions in order to correct the em-
phasis that the national curriculum had body temperature with the tantric practice
The fence that separated her yard from of tumo.
the public road was covered with thick placed on Western values.
green foliage Since I became a Bengali Secondly, the standards of the public ed-
vegetarian I developed a keen eye for veg- ucational system have dropped significantly
etables and one of my favorites was ban compared to the sixties and there are too
kariela (tiny bitter melons) My body lan- many of Hindu parentage with literacy
guage and my futile attempt to count the problems and who know little or nothing
karielas must have exposed my need for about the world’s first great religion. Teach-
sustenance. ing can no longer be done by word of
Will you and your Canadian friend stay mouth at bottom houses . Hopefully those
for lunch she asked Swami? who reside outside Guyana can occasion-
We were back within an hour. Dhal and ally pool their resources to initiate con-
kariela was hot and ready but she waited for struction and operation of other Hindu
us to arrive to complete the last dish, Learning Centers. Minds must first be de-
Paratha roti. veloped if the young are going to be suc-
As Swami discussed with her the chal- cessful and independent. They can then set
lenges facing Hindus in the country and higher standards and contribute to the
particularly in Berbice I observed the tools progress of the nation as a whole.
of her trade: CHULHA, POOKNEY, Many who have helped the schools they
BELNA, CHIMTA, TAWAH, and SIFTA, attended, as children are not hesitating to
all neatly stored under the zinc extension at assist for they know the value of a well-
the bottom of house. A shower had soaked rounded education. Bath Settlement native
portions of the ground next to the fireside Trevor Subryan already donated 600 Gitas
but the smoke did not stop her from per- and these will hopefully be distributed
forming her duty to her two guests. My around Bush Lot during Holi .Other Hindu
greatest concern was that while she was stalwarts like Omesh Sharma from far away
talking to Swami, she was also watching at as Leguan, and Roy Singh, can always be
him and not at the roti. She was throwing counted upon once the residents from Bush
it up in the air as if she did not care whether Lot provide the initiative and accountabil-
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 The Trinidad and Tobago Federation at Yorkt University in Toronto was very busy last
give up too easily when facing challenges. week taking part in every activity available. The 200 member group, headed by Natasha
They tend to be poor at problem solving Nankissoor (extreme right in picture above), won the DJ Battle and got an award for most Scores of children - some from very poor
and don't put out the necessary effort. I outstanding club for the Multicultural Week DJ World Cup. They also participated in The families - across Western Jamaica are being
don't know how putting them in an Afri- Multicultural Week Parade and Fashion show, which took place on Carnival Monday., lured out of school to work in ganja fields,
centric school will help with those prob- with appropriate Carnival with costumes. And they were part of the Food Fair, DJ Battle, helping with the mass production of the
lems. Students have to bring learning Global Village and Stage Performances. narcotic drug for export.
attitudes and motivation to school with The increase in ganja production over the
them. We teachers are not there to teach past six years has kept Jamaica on the
them learning attitudes and motivation.but United States' 'blacklist' as one of the major
maths and science and English. drug-producing countries.
In comparison, I find that Indo-Caribbean "We have seen evidence to suggest that
students don't generally have the same children are helping in the cultivation of the
problems in school as the Caribbean black drug," head of the Narcotics Division, Sen-
students. Chinese Caribbean students and ior Superintendent Carlton Wilson said to
white Caribbean students don't share the local media.
same school problems as the black

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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If the 30,000 black students in the Toronto Lusignan killers Compare & save up to 50% … lowest rates Guaranteed
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many of the 12,000 will one school be able man and his protesting group wanted after RRSP & RESP
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the killers, and demanded Roger Khan and RRSP LOANS AVAILABLE THROUGH AGF AT PRIME RATE – 1%
Who will come up with the estimated former government minister Gajraj, both of
$800,000 to set up the Africentric school? whom are credited with keeping criminals MALE (Term 10 – Preferred) Plus (Non-Smoker) – Female
The school board has a deficit and the in check by vigilante justice. Even Presi-
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Are we making a case that black students watches to defend themselves.
30 11 16 23 30 10 13 17
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IT PAYS TO ADVERTISE
cial case like natives students or intellectu- 40 14 20 32 40 13 18 25
ally handicapped students? 45 19 28 46 45 15 21 32
IN THE 50 25 41 65 50 19 29 44
The average drop out rate in Toronto
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INDO-
like South Asians and Chinese. If their drop
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come special cases needing special schools subject to medicals and are subject to change

CARIBBEAN
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TIMES
Where is the research showing that Afro-
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Call: Nalini Prashad ( OM Financial)
Isn’t this another case of throwing money
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Don’t polls show that over 75% of Toronto

residents oppose Africentric schools?
INDIANS IN THE CARIBBEAN Indo-Caribbean Times FEBRUARY 2008 Page 19

Lusignan attacks threaten stability in Guyana Police tear gas

Lusignan marchers
LUSIGNAN MASSACRE Bharath blames No negotiation
Buxton for
Continued from Page 1
with criminals,
woman pregnant in the last year yet police Lusignan murder
says gov’t
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- men in the East Coast village of Lusignan 6, Government has no intention of engaging
sassination two years ago of serving gov- which left 11 persons dead, had security s in any dialogue with criminals, as sug-
ernment minister Sat Sawh. Like the forces looking for the country’s most gested by Jesuit priest Fr Malcolm Ro-
Lusignan massacre, Sawh's murder was a wanted man, while at the same time battling drigues, the AFC political party, political
deliberate challenge to the PPP govern- angry residents whose protests ground the activist Eusi Kwayana and others.
ment. The government did not solve the East Coast corridor to a standstill. That’s the view from Head of the Presi-
Sawh murder, and has appeared to be weak Police ini- dential Secretariat Dr
on crime. This time it is not likely that tially have Roger Luncheon. He East Coast Demerara residents who tried
Indo-Guyanese will accept a long period of made a $30M added that profes- to make a peaceful walk in single file from
failure to apprehend the killers. Even in this offer (later sionals and others Lusignan to Georgetown the Friday morn-
short time it's obvious that that the Lusig- raised to $50 with social status ing after the massacre had an unpleasant
nan killers have achieved some of their million) for were trying to make shock.
probably aims- weakening the position of information the issue one of so- Police advised them that it was illegal
the PPP government. Jagdeo now looks leading to ar- cial discontent by re- since no permission for the march was
more and more like a man who can win rest of the ferring to sought.Some of the residents, among them
elections but cannot government effectively country’s discrimination and women, then decided to board mini buses
when it comes to security. most wanted marginalisation as to travel to the city, but this move was
The Lusignan murders will have an im- man - Rondell being the root cause thwarted by the police who stopped the ve-
mediate effect of slowing down the return ‘Fine Man’ and politicising what hicles and reportedly removed several pro-
of foreign based Indo-Guyanese to rebuild Rawlins, were purely criminal testors with placards.This did not deter the
the country. They may also speed up the the while not say- intentions. protestors, who continued to proceed to the
departure of Guyana Indians to safer ing directly Political activist city.
countries abroad. Any reduction of the In- that he was Eusi Kwayana, a They were, however, met at Triumph by
dian population plays into the game of the connected to the slayings Buxtonian now residing in the USA, has a contingent of police ranks with riot gear
PNC to regain power by any means possi- .Rawlins is believed to be behind the at- supported the Fr Rodrigues’ proposal for who blocked their path to the city and in-
ble. There are only 20,000 more Indian vot- tack on Police headquarters at Eve Leary, talking to the criminals or their representa- formed them that the march was illegal.
ers than black voters in Guyana. Reduction which left two junior Police officers tives, those labelled criminals, was "right They refused to disperse as ordered by the
of Indian numbers could bring the PNC wounded. Apart from numerous murders, on". Oliver Hinckson, a former soldier re- police and after 30 minutes police fired tear
closer to a point where they have the nu- he is also wanted for the assassination of cently pardoned by President Jagdeo for smoke canisters into the crowd. Several
merical superiority the PPP now enjoys, Minister of Agriculture Satyadeow Sawh, treason, has offered to negotiate with the persons collapsed as a result of inhaling the
and can win the government by means of e who was slain with two of his siblings in gunmen. fumes. At least four persons were treated at
a fair election. April, 2006. AFC MP David Patterson has said the the hospital, while some were arrested.
President Jagdeo declared at a press AFC would support a dialogue with the
Zalika Baksh: How
The PPP does not have many options
open to them. Instead of calling for peace briefing that the criminals who stormed the criminals as the current approach was not

my husband died at
they should be calling for justice for the Lusignan homes came from Buxton, long succeeding as it should; people continued
murdered Lusignan villagers and others at- believed to be a safe haven for armed, dan- to lose their lives and livelihood.

Lusignan
tacked by black criminals. They are un- gerous criminals.The incident is being de- He said the problems of discrimination
willing or unable to get their security forces scribed as the worst mass slaying in and marginalisation were being aired
to hunt down people like the Lusignan Guyana’s recent history, and as news openly in and around 1997/1998 in Buxton,
killers. They have not moved to balance the spread, it occupied the main headlines of now described by the administration as a
Bibi Zalika Baksh, whose husband,
armed forces with large numbers of Indians the world’s leading news agencies. haven for criminals, and nothing concrete
Shalem, was killed, said that at around
or to create a security force composed of The gunmen took control of “Track A” was done to alleviate the grievances of the
02:00 hours they heard the shooting which,
people who will be willing to hunt down Lusignan, some 10 miles east of the capital people there. He believes that government
she said, started at a house two doors away.
the black criminal gangs. They cannot ne- Georgetown, at about 2:00 am, and main- failed to nip the problem in the bud and the
The woman said that the family was
gotiate with people who are killing PPP tained rapid gunfire for about 20 minutes situation was now bordering on insurgency
downstairs in the two-flat house, and by the
supporters. They do not want to share during which they stormed five homes and in a community which has been affected on
time they ran upstairs and secured them-
power with the PNC who can presumably killed 11 persons, including five children. account of being stigmatised.
selves under a bed, the bandits, who she
control the black criminal gangs. There is Dead are: Claren Thomas, 48; Vanessa The AFC, he said, has maintained that the
said appeared to be all over the place, began
also a possibility that the Lusignan killers Thomas 12; Ron Thomas, 11; Mohandan root cause of the violence must be ad-
breaking down doors.
are rogue criminals gone berserk, who can- Goordat, 32; Seegopaul Harilall, 10; See- dressed even if it means talking to the crim-
According to Baksh, the men ordered the
not be controlled by anybody. gobin Harilall,4; Dhanwajie Ramsingh,52; inals to get to the bottom of it and to stop
family to open their door, but the family
Jagdeo may have no other choice than to Seecharran Rooplall, 56; Raywattie Rams- future attacks to save innocent lives. "No
was too terrified to make another move.
appeal for international help to hunt down ingh, 11; Shazam Mohammed, 22; Shaleem ideas should be excluded," said Patterson,
Within seconds, their front louvre windows
and destroy the Lusignan killers and other Baksh, 52. even if it meant asking the criminals why
were shattered and some of the men en-
similar gangs in Guyana. He turned down Protests started immediately. From Mon they became criminals in the first instance.
tered.“They pull out me husband from
such help after the death of his minister Repos, just a mile off Lusignan, residents Dr Luncheon rejected those arguments
under the bed and tell him, 'Give we de
Sawh, and said Guyana security forces offloaded a truckload of sand at the railway and said if the dialogue was to tell the crim-
money and de jewellery',” Mrs. Baksh re-
could handle the matters. Clearly they did- embankment, and tires were set alight, pre- inals to surrender and face the law that
called.She said that her husband begged the
n't do that. Nothing is wrong with admitting venting traffic from flowing either way. would be appropriate.
men to spare his life but they shot him in
inability to handle a problem and calling for On the main road, residents placed pile But if it was to engage in philosophical
cold blood.
help. upon pile of debris and set it alight, forcing approaches to crime and defence and
Baksh said that she and her daughter
Fineman and his gang have thrown down those who desperately wanted to pass to use counter defence for criminal events and ac-
were also under the bed from which her
a direct challenge to President Jagdeo by at- the rail of the bridge. tions, the proposal would have to be seen in
husband was pulled, but the bandits, in their
tacking the army, police and his Indian sup- Thick black smoked engulfed communi- what would be parallels. In this instance, he
haste, did not see them.She explained that,
porters. They are daring him to make his ties further down, as similar acts of protest said there was no parallel.
before her husband was shot, she attempted
move and show that he has power. He can- rippled through. Markets at Annandale and Dr Luncheon felt that those advocating
to come out from her hiding place to hand
not afford to do nothing as happened after Mon Repos, which usually draw hundreds the dialogue were taking the issue and put-
over whatever valuables the family had
the Sawh assassination. on Saturdays, were deserted ting it on par with what was taking place
with the hope of saving their lives.But her
Lusignan could well be a “last straw” for .In the afternoon, stores in Georgetown with hostages and rebels in Colombia and
indecision probably saved her life and her
Indians in Guyana, prompting another exo- closed early as the incident spread fear in other parts of the world, and this did not
14-year-old daughter's.
dus from the country. Or it may create In- across the country. apply to Guyana.
She said that the gunmen went down-
dian vigilantes who will take the law into stairs looking for the rest of the family, but
their own hands to guarantee their own se- eventually left when they did not find them.
curity, which seems to be happening in
nearby Trinidad.
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT Indo-Caribbean Times JANUARY 2008 Page 20
Guyana Schools Girdharrie wins In memory of the victims
Drama Festival Chutney Soca of the Lusignan Massacre
comes in April title and $1/4
The sixth Secondary Schools Drama Fes- million in prizes On behalf of the Guyanese living in Canada and the many
tival is billed for April this year at the The- friends of Guyana here, I would like to express profound sad-
atre Guild Playhouse which is now
undergoing extensive renovations.
ness on hearing of the deaths of the 11 innocent victims at
According to a press release from the Lusignan. The authorities in Guyana must deliver stern and
Government Information Agency (GINA) immediate justice for these crimes and set up a new system
the event is open to all secondary schools,
including those from the private sector and that will guarantee the security that all Guyanese deserve but do
will present an opportunity for students to not possess today. This incident must not go unpunished and
showcase their talents at Guyana's hosting
of CARIFESTA X in August.
the security faults it exposed must not go unrepaired.
The festival is held every two years under
the aegis of the Ministry of Education. Second placed Ricki Jai gave his best Gulcharan Mohabir, Toronto
The festival over the years has helped
many youths to realise their talent in the al- (Gulcharan Mohabir is a chartered accountant licensed to practice in

C
lied arts. According to the Administrator of Canada and Guyana.)
the Unit of Allied Arts of the ministry, De- hutney star and police officer Rooplal
siree Wyles-Ogle, this year's event will in- Girdharrie made it a hat trick with his
clude performances based on myths, third consecutive Chutney Soca Monarch
legends, storytelling and social issues in so- title at a San Fernando show just before
ciety. She noted that myths and legends as- Carnival.

PHILLIP
sociated with Guyanese culture will play a He also took home a cool quarter million
focal part in the performances, since the TT dollars, which included the $200,000
winners are expected to take part in CAR- top prize, a brand new Lancer car and 905-794-5551
IFESTA X. $50,000 first prize in Groovy Chutney cat-
Minister within the Ministry of Educa- egory of the contest. This is the fifth time
tion, Dr. Desrey Fox has already spoken to that he has won the competition in its 13-
a number of secondary schools across the year history .
country. She explained that the Playhouse, Rooplal beat out another five times win-
which is at present being restored to its ner Rikki Jai (Samraj Jaimungal), who took
original glory, is an ideal venue for the the second prize in the contest which had
event since it is an arena which supports total prizes of $1 million.
performances in schools and boosts aca- Soca Elvis placed third, followed by Arti
demic learning. Butkoon,one of two female finalists, former
Dramatic Performances has been added chutney champion Adesh Samaroo, former
to the Caribbean Secondary Education winner Heeralal Rampartap, Neeshad Sul-
Council's (CSEC) curriculum with the tan, Rajin Dhanraj, Shelleika Hazel, Rick
Berbice Multilateral School being the first Ramoutar and Kenneth Seupersad.
beneficiary, performing well at the CSEC. Girdharrie, of Esperance Village, San
The fifth drama festival was held in 2006 Fernando sang "Crazy for you" and "Ayee
with North Georgetown Secon-dary emerg-
ing the winner.
sanjana pyaar" while Rikki Jai sang "Ley
we go" and "Baharie". Rampartap sang
Khel Baldeo
India’s Pink posse
Sales Representative
"Aisay Waisay" and "Itioo ayee wo yo yo."
Organiser of the competition, Southex 5071 Highway #7 East

delivers justice for

Promotions’ George Singh said contestants Markham Ontario L3R 1N3
were not spending enough time on their Bus: 905-477-0011

oppressed women
Fax: 905-477-6839
melody and lyrics. He said, "Something
will have to be done to assist Chutney soca
(905) 477-0011 E-mail: [email protected]
artistes in composing songs and putting 24 Hr. Pager
.If you're a man in the Banda district of them to melody." www.re maxallstars.c a
India who beats your wife, demands more The Groovy Chutney category was in-

Q-TREX INTERNATIONAL
dowry, or otherwise mistreats women, troduced for the first time this year. It fea-
you'd better watch out. A posse of vigilante tures a slower beat to the chutney soca
women clad in pink saris may soon come songs.
after you, and it's going to be ugly.
5040 Maingate Dr., Mississauga (Tomken & Eglinton)
Given these circumstances, a girl's gotta
The "Gulabi Gang" (Pink Gang) uses do what a girl's gotta do. Gulabi Gang
sticks (lathis) and cricket bats to "teach founder Sampat Pal Devi, who was married Ship 10 barrels (100 cubic feet) in one Calendar
erring men a lesson." In one instance, they off at age 9 and had her first child at 13, Year and Ship the 11th Barrel (10 cubic feet) for FREE!
Enjoy this:
chased a woman's abusive, alcoholic hus- says:Nobody comes to our help in these
band into a sugarcane field and sorely parts. The officials and police are corrupt
thrashed him. and anti-poor. So sometimes we have to Guyana...............$45.00 per barrel
They also go after corrupt government
officials. Last year, they stormed a police
take the law into our own hands. At other Trinidad..............$30.00 per barrel
station after cops refused to register the case
times, we prefer to shame the wrongdoers.
But we're not a gang in the usual sense of
Kingston............$30.00 per barrel
of a low-caste man simply because of his the term. We're a gang for justice.Until the Montego Bay ....$35.00 per barrel
Barbados...........$55.00 per barrel
social standing. rule of law can be established, it looks like
This area of India, in the state of Uttar justice will be have to administered via grrrl
Pradesh (the same state from which the late power. Grenada, St Vincent, Dominica
"bandit queen" Phoolan Devi hailed), is no-
torious for its ill-treatment of women and Memory trigger found St Lucia, Antigua..$60.00 per barrel
people of lower castes. Only 24 percent of Canadian scientists studying whether elec- We deliver empty plastic,
women can read (compared with 50 percent trodes implanted in the brain could help cardboard or steel barrels
of men), domestic violence is rampant, and suppress appetite have instead stumbled
there are just 846 females per 1,000 males across a potential treatment for people in
Delivery Service to any U.S. or Canadian city

Ask about our weekly a ir service

(compared with the state's average of 879). the early stages of memory loss. an attempt
Bonded labor (a.k.a. slavery) is common, to use deep brain stimulation as an experi-
lower-caste children face open discrimina- mental obesity therapy triggered vivid au- to Guy ana and the Cari bbean
tion at school, and government officials are
corrupt.
tobiographical memories in the 50-year-old
man being treated.
Call 905.290.1946 or
toll free 1 866 GO QTREX (881-5433)
NY Guyanese Vent
CARIBBEAN Indo-Caribbean Times FEBRUARY 2008 Page 21
Anger spills over How they killed

Anger at PPP Gov’t

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

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-

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

Lusignan residents
families of the massacre.
the air through his radio program. lagers responded, “Hurt? De hurt already at as Doreen Khan recounted the ordeal. Her
the mortuary. Condolence can’t bring dem grief could not be contained as she has lost
denounce police
Zakir condemned the tear gassing and
beating of protesters saying it is the peoples back. Wah ya’ll come fah?” her 22-year-old son, Shazam Mohamed, an
democratic right to protest. He urged the Minister Shaik Baksh did not escape the accountant at the Nauth Construction firm
government to seek foreign help to get the wrath of the villagers. As he tried to con- died.
Lusignan killers. “Get foreign commandoes Residents were upset at the slow police sole the residents, he was dealt a slap to the “Five ah we been sleeping and then we
to do the job”. response. They said that the police refused back of his head minutes after he was booed hear the gunshots.” She recalled that there
Zakir also called on the government to to answer several telephone calls even as and taunted. He slowly walked to safety were orders for the family to open the door.
listen to the voice of overseas Guyanese to the massacre was in progress.This was with an angry mob behind, lobbing plastic “Them say open the door but me son say,
solve the crime problem. brought to the attention of Acting Police bottles at him and shouting, “Get out! We ‘Daddy don’t open the door and they start
Dhanpaul Narine, President of Trimurthi Commissioner Henry Greene, who visited does got to get numbers to see you. Where to shoot at the building and then me hear
Mandir, called on the government to clean the area early and promised a full investi- you number deh now?” me husband say he get shoot.”
up the police force charging that “some el- gation into the conduct of his ranks. Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee She said too that seconds later the alarm
ements of the police work in collusion with Many residents expressed horror that the also was not spared the insults. While en- for her son’s car went off and he got up to
criminals”. children were not spared.“Dem nah come tering the village his vehicle was pelted turn off the alarm and as she was standing
Attorney at law Albert Baldeo, who is fuh rob. Look how dem kill dem pickney with an egg, and as he walked through, he was hit. The woman as well as her
seeking political representation for Rich- while dem sleeping,” was one of the fre- shouts of “Rohee must go! Bring back de daughter Shazila Khan and her son Shazad
mond Hill residents in Albany , called on quent comments. “Dis government gat fuh big guts man now,” permeated the air. are unharmed but her husband Nadir Mo-
the government to bring the criminals to resign; dem can't protect we,” was another. hammed, 48, is hospitalised.
SPORTS Indo-Caribbean Times FEBRUARY 2008 Page 22
Cricket whitewashes by Pakistan, South Africa Football
A new-look Pakistan, without a handful
of senior players, drove Zimbabwe into the Up until that moment he had made 10 runs SOCCER Bills to play Toronto
ground with a comprehensive seven-wicket from 23 balls, but two consecutive fours off
victory in the final one-dayer in Powell got his feet moving before he laid
Toronto FC battled Danish club Odense Roger Goodell didn't exactly give
Sheikhupura to clean sweep the Mobilink into Dwayne Bravo, lofting him over long-
Boldklub to a 0-0 draw Monday in Major Toronto's aspirations for a full-time NFL
Cup 5-0. The overcast and bitterly cold con- off for a huge six and flaying another past
League Soccer pre-season action from franchise a ringing endorsement Friday.
ditions didn't faze debutant Khurram Man- point. In five overs, South Africa mowed 66
Bradenton, Fla. The NFL commissioner confirmed dur-
zoor and Younis Khan as they chased down runs and West Indies were falling apart.
ing his state-of-the-union address in Ari-
a meagre target of 182 with 19 overs to Their bowling was ill-disciplined and
Toronto is now 0-2-0 in exhibition play this zona the league has approved a proposal
spare. nervy; their fielding, at times, a shambles,
season — the club played to a 1-1 draw from the Bills to play eight games over the
The win was set up by Pakistan's especially Runako Morton, who twice let
against Eastern Conference foes D.C. next five years in Toronto. Buffalo would
sprightly young bunch - which included the ball through his legs for fours. These are
United in a 60-minute game last week in stage a regular-season contest at Rogers
four debutants - who showed exemplary the factors which have ultimately cost them
Bradenton. Centre each season, starting in 2008, and
commitment in the field to keep Zimbabwe the series.
also play three exhibition games every
in check for much of their innings. The Quite by contrast, West Indies' batting has
Toronto head coach John Carver said he other year.
overcast conditions were tailor-made, it steadily improved with each match and
was "delighted" with the overall effort of However, Goodell stopped well short of
seemed, even for Pakistan's untested seam- today's effort was particularly impressive,
his players against Odense. saying it's the first step in the Bills relocat-
bowling attack, and Hamilton Masakadza's tinged with end-of-term frolicking. Devon
Carver took over as Toronto coach on Feb. ing to Toronto, something many believe
decision to bat first was perplexing. After a Smith fell nine short of his maiden one-day
1, replacing Mo Johnston, who became the would not only spell the end of the Toronto
top order wobble, Zimbabwe were lifted by hundred and batted fearlessly throughout,
team's manager and director of soccer. Argonauts and Hamilton Tiger-Cats but the
a rearguard from Elton Chigumbura and cracking 10 fours and lofting three huge
Continue Article CFL as a whole.
Brendan Taylor, but couldn't sustain the sixes. When he and Shivnarine Chander-
Click to learn more... "That's not our focus right now," Good-
momentum as Pakistan quickly clawed paul were together, West Indies had every
ell said. "Our focus right now is trying to
back to shoot them out for a woefully inad- hope of setting South Africa a total well in
"I thought it was a very workmanlike make sure the games we have committed
equate score. excess of 300.

West Indies go
team," Johnston said of Monday's draw to, which is one game over the next five
West Indies' 100 was brought up in the 16th
against the Danes. "I felt they were very or- years, are done successfully and do
over, as Chanderpaul busied himself rather

UK cricketers warned
under to South
anonymously in contrast to Smith, with a ganized, got behind the ball and we created
selection of nudges and well judged singles. a lot of chances. We pressed when we

about rebel Indian

And as the pair's hundred partnership was needed to; we defended when we needed to.

Africa
brought up from just 87 balls, West Indies It's not easy playing against European
were in control.
With distinct inevitability, it didn't last. Eye-
teams and it was a good exercise."
league
ing his maiden one-day hundred, Smith Midfielders Maurice Edu and Carl Robin-
Herschelle Gibbs' bristling 102 and a classy edged Charl Langeveldt to Boucher for a son played in the first half, making their Geoff Miller, England's newly-installed
74 from Jacques Kallis took South Africa bristling 91. And two overs later, pre-season debuts for Toronto. chief selector, has hinted that any England
to their fifth win of the series, whitewashing Langeveldt trapped Chanderpaul leg-before player who signs up for the rebel Indian
West Indies who were soundly beaten by with a fine, inswinging delivery to leave Toronto and Odense meet again Thursday Cricket League could go the same way as
eight wickets in Johannesburg. With 26 West Indies' frail middle-order with work in Florida. New Zealand's Shane Bond, who last
runs needed from 34 balls, out marched to do. South Africa - a bowler short when month had his national contract terminated

2008 Canadian
Shaun Pollock to carry his side home for The MLS club also said Canadian national and now faces being cast into the interna-
the last time and, with a flay past point for goalkeeper Josh Wagenaar is now working tional wilderness.
out with the team on trial. So far only four England players - Chris

Domino King is
two, the fairytale was complete.
Initially set 296 before two rain interrup- Read, Vikram Solanki, Darren Maddy and
tions, South Africa found the going tough Toronto will kick off the MLS regular sea- Paul Nixon - have taken the lucrative offer

Rasfa Richie.
in their first five overs. In dank conditions, son on March 29 on the road against the from the ICL and, of those, only Read had
the ball nibbled around for Daren Powell Columbus Crew. The team's first home realistic prospects of resuming his interna-
and his opening partner, Ravi Rampaul, and game is April 19 against Real Salt Lake. tional career. But Miller, in New Zealand
with the one-day squad, suggested that the
Sania to boycott In-
Graeme Smith, for the umpteenth time, The 2008 Canadian Domino Championship
edged one onto his stumps as he played ECB would be making an example of them
was held on Saturday, February 02, 2008 in
dian tournaments
across the line. Gibbs continued to look out to prevent others from following the same
Toronto. City TV was there to cover this path.
of sorts, as he has done all series, scratching truly national event. Please watch
around unconvincingly to the disciplined Contracts for the ICL are worth between
Caribbean Beat at Rogers Cable 10 this Sat- £200,000 and £500,000, but the tournament
lines of West Indies' opening attack. urday at 12.00 Noon for highlights. Sania Mirza will boycott all Indian tourna-
And then the rains came. After an hour's is not sanctioned by the ICC - unlike the
The Runner-up to the King is Churaman ments, including next month's WTA Ban- forthcoming Indian Premier League, which
break, the players resumed for six balls be- Lall. galore Open, after being dragged into a
fore a more sustained torrent forced them takes place in April. Miller stopped short of
The 2008 Canadian Team Champions are series of controversies at home in the last saying that legal issues were behind his
off for longer, while also reducing South Karamchand Persaud, Percy Mangra and two months.
Africa's target to 211 from 31 overs. Out comments, but instead questioned the mo-
Rohan Singh. The 21-year-old Asian number one said she tivation of players who sign for the ICL.
came the sun, and in the next five overs had been advised by her manager and
Gibbs took the attack to West Indies in a mixed doubles partner Mahesh Bhupathi to
breathtaking display of power-hitting. "A lot has been happening in the last few
skip the tournament starting on March 3. months, everytime I have played in India
"At this moment, I have been advised by

CHESS, DRAUGHT AND

there has been some kind of problem so we
my manager not to play," she told reporters just thought it was better not to play at this
on Monday in her hometown of Hyderabad. point," said Mirza, who reached the Aus-

DOMINO TOURNAMENTS
Mirza, who emerged a youth icon since be- tralian Open women's singles third round
coming the first Indian to win a WTA tour and the mixed doubles final with Bhupathi.
event in 2005, would have been the big "I don't think it was an extreme reaction at
draw alongside American sisters Serena all," Mirza told the NDTV channel. "There
Players of all skill levels (beginners to advanced) are
and Venus Williams. is something or the other happening. It is
But in the face of mounting criticism, she not easy to be dealing with stuff like that. I
invited to participate. Tournaments held every month said she had thought about ending her play- felt great lows in the last few weeks."
during the winter. ing career.
The world number 29 has been summoned
Bhupathi defended her decision to skip the
event.
by a court in the central city of Bhopal after "The way things have panned out in the last
See schedule at www.horizoncricketclub.com or phone allegedly showing disrespect to the Indian few months is very unfortunate," he told
905-794-5423. Also, adult and kids CHESS LESSONS
flag, punishable by a jail sentence if proved, NDTV. "In the wake of two controversies
during the Hopman Cup in Perth last back-to-back it's probably the right thing
(beginners to advance). Learn to play the world’s best month. for her."
board game. She was also forced to apologise to mosque
officials in her hometown for shooting an
Chief tournament organiser Sundar Raju
Registration information at advert on its premises in December after a
said he heard Mirza's comments only after
being told by the national federation she
www.horizoncricketclub.com complaint of trespass was filed against her would play.
to the police.
 Indo-Caribbean Times FEBRUARY 2008 Page 23

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