Army, police mount pre-dawn operation in Buxton
Stabroek News
September 29, 2002
A military-type camouflage uniform, a black police beret and a quantity of gel which when mixed with water becomes an irritant and could be used in the commission of crimes, were found during a pre-dawn operation by army and police at Buxton yesterday.
The operation which according to an army release took place between 05:00 hrs and 08:00 hrs yesterday, saw the GDF and the police engaging in cordoning off and searching a section of the East Coast Demerara village, south of the railway embankment.
The area, which according to a release from the Ministry of Home Affairs issued through the Government Information Agency (GINA), is referred to as the 'Gulf,' had been identified as being frequented by the prison escapees and their accomplices.
According to the army, the aim of the operation was to capture any "notable criminal" who may have been using the area as a safe haven, and to locate unlicensed and illegal arms.
Minister of Home Affairs Ronald Gajraj, confirmed the joint operation in a section of south Buxton while indicating that about 25 houses had been searched in the targeted area. The army's statement gave a figure of 24, and said that no arms, ammunition or wanted persons had been found.
"Ranks from the police and the army did not meet any violent resistance, but were abused and threatened," the ministry's release said.
However, resulting from the operation, several persons were said to have been arrested and were currently assisting the police in their investigations. According to the army four residents of Buxton had been arrested in relation to the items found while a woman had been taken into custody at Vigilance Police Station as a result of disorderly behaviour.
"Three men, including the driver of a minibus, were also taken to the station for attempting to breach the cordon," the release said. Minister Gajraj, it continued, had indicated the likely continuance of the heightened police and army activities, and assured citizens of the safety of the East Coast public road passing through Buxton and other villages along the East Coast of Demerara.
He further disclosed that the security forces would continue to mount similar joint operations as and when it was considered necessary.
"The minister appealed to members of the public to cooperate with the law enforcement agencies, in any way possible, including the provision of useful information to the police." He was also reported to be seeking the understanding of the public in relation to the minor inconveniences which may result from the anti-crime operations.
The patrols which according to the army have been intensified since September 14, were set to continue indefinitely.
Meanwhile the army is retracting a statement carried in yesterday's edition of the Stabroek News saying that Buxton resident, Clyde Duncan had been shot with a pistol.
In another release the GDF said that, "This information was not consistent with situation reports on the shooting incident at Buxton on the night of Thursday, September 26.
"Investigations revealed that Duncan was one of two men shot during the exchange of fire between members of an army vehicle patrol and gunmen on the railway embankment in Buxton. A review of the incident revealed that while the soldiers were travelling westward on the embankment, they encountered logs and benches, which were used to obstruct the smooth flow of traffic."
According to the statement, the soldiers on meeting the hindrance, disembarked from their vehicle and were in the process of removing the objects when they came under fire from a group of persons at the corner of Company Road and the Railway Embankment.