By Bibi Khatoon
“It is sad to see young lives had to go down the drain wastefully,” past President of the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce, Poonai Bhigroog said of three criminals who were killed by police on Sunday in the backlands of Mibicuri, Black Bush Polder area, East Berbice Corentyne.
Nevertheless, he commended the police for getting rid of the criminals.
“I think the crime was getting really, really ridiculous…the criminals were getting too brazen.
“Because, if you look at some of the crimes that happened recently in Berbice, the Police is just a stone’s throw away and these criminals would go in the same vicinity and they would harass regular and ordinary people,” he explained.
He added that the business sector was gravely affected since they were forced to close their stores earlier for fear of getting robbed. He said the question on everyone’s mind was about whether or not they would be next.
The community of Black Bush Polder saw three armed robberies in two days last week alone, leaving victims not only suffering losses but injuries and trauma.
Bhigroog believes that in the future, the situation should not be left to meet this stage.
“I think crime fighting should be an ongoing process,” he noted.
“We shouldn’t wait until escalate to the state that it is.”
The former President of the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce believes that more should be done to ensure better intelligence gathering. He also joined with other residents in asking for increased police patrols in the area.
Sixty-year-old Zaman Chand, who has resided in the community for the past three years, noted that the Police should also be provided with more resources.
While he called for added patrols, he said ATVs should be provided to get into the backlands or more durable vehicles to visit the squatting areas.
Chaitram Ravindranauth, another resident who in the past faced robbers who broke into the home of his brother-in-law, also said more patrols are needed.
“The police need to keep alert, get a patrol in Black Bush…the Mibicuri police station is too far,” he said.
Motilall Mangar, an elderly resident believes having his own licensed firearm will help him to protect his family and neighbours if they are ever attacked by bandits.
“I’m a sickly man, I can’t run night time,” he said. His view was supported by two younger men in the community who want to help bring down the crime rate in Berbice.
The bandits – 32-year-old Kelvin Shivgobin called ‘Kelly’ of Belvedere, Ramnarine Jagmohan, and Sewchand Sewlall known as ‘One Eye Pappy’ – were killed late Sunday by police in ‘B’ Division in the backlands of the Mibicuri, Black Bush Polder area.
Following the shooting death, Police Headquarters revealed that a pistol, two revolvers, a rifle, three magazines, 253 rounds of live ammunition and seven spent shells were found at the scene in close proximity of the men along with other items.
The families of the men on Monday told reporters that they are saddened by what occurred.
While Jagmohan’s mother and Sewlall claimed to be unaware of what they were doing, Shivgobin’s friend said she repeatedly encouraged him to change his ways but he ignored.
‘B’ Division Commander, Paul Langevine, following the operation said he hopes this will put an end to the recent spate of robberies in the area.
