Demerara Contractors and Engineers Limited (DCEL), a subsidiary of Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), is accusing Pritipaul Singh Investments Inc. of continued illegal trespass on a portion of land it owns at Providence, East Bank Demerara.
DCEL, in a recent statement, also accused the seafood company of encouraging its workers to escalate the ongoing conflict with armed aggression.
DCEL said after months of trying to resolve the issue privately, it is now publicly demanding that Pritipaul Singh Investments Inc. ends the continued illegal occupation of its waterfront land at Providence and its threatening actions which seek to intimidate its employees.
“Respect for the rule of law is a fundamental principle in every democratic society and DCEL will not be intimidated by those who seek to disregard the law and resort to threats of the use of force to further their baseless objectives in contravention of rulings by a competent Court of Law,” the statement noted.
DCEL provided a copy of the High Court ruling dated October 26, 2020, which ordered that Pritipaul Singh Investments give up possession of the property owned by DCEL by November 30, 2020.
The Court also issued an injunction restraining Pritipaul Singh Investments, their directors, officers, servants and or agents from entering upon the said property or any part or portion thereof after November 30, 2020
However, according to DCEL, Pritipaul Singh Investments has continued its occupation, keeping materials and equipment on the property.
“On several occasions, heavy-duty equipment was used to block DCEL access to the property,” the statement added.
Further, DCEL claims that on April 22, 2021, its employees made a report at the Providence Police Station, that an excavator belonging to Pritipaul Singh Investments, was blocking a bridge to the property.
DCEL said later that day, the police advised that they would visit Pritipaul Singh Investments with the Court Order and would request the removal of the excavator.
The excavator reportedly remained in place and a follow-up report was made to the Commander of Police Division 4B.
Again, on May 1, 2021, Mr Pritipaul Singh himself was engaged on the property by DCEL security staff who advised that he was trespassing. Pritipaul Singh told the security that the matter is a court matter, DCEL claimed.
“A Marshall of the Court removed the excavator on May 3, but the illegal occupation and obstruction continue.
“Today, Pritipaul Singh Investments took more aggressive action when its employees, at least one with a firearm, ripped down one of the DCEL fences as workers were involved with DCEL activities on the property. This aggression is reckless and dangerous and a legitimate threat to the lives of DCEL employees carrying out their responsibilities in keeping with the law. This lawlessness should not and will not be tolerated,” the statement added.
DCEL said the illegal occupation and continued obstruction by Pritipaul Singh Investments have delayed the commencement of extensive works for the development of DCEL’s waterfront facilities at Providence.
The waterfront development comes as DCEL intensifies efforts to build out its capacity and to expand the services offered by the DDL Group of Companies.
In making this demand public, DCEL expects that Prittipaul Singh Investments Inc. will honour the Order of Court without further legal or other action being required. DCEL also calls on Prittipaul Singh Investments to cease and desist from any further threats to DCEL personnel.
