About 96.7% of Indo-Guyanese out of 1375 persons surveyed by the Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) believe that Indian recruits in the police force and the army suffer discrimination by superiors of other races.

The survey also found that 99.9% of the Indians within this group want these forces to be ethnically balanced. Those opposed, which include one Indo-Guyanese and 331 Non-Indo Guyanese, suggest that “on the surface there appears to be a strong ethnic division with regard to the need for ethnic balance.”

These were among the findings of the survey which were considered at yesterday’s Disciplined Forces Commission (DFC) hearing at the Supreme Court Law Library.

The Commission of Enquiry was created by the National Assembly to investigate the operations of the disciplined services, which comprise the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), the Prison Services and the Guyana Fire Service. The Commission will give priority to the investigation of the operations of the police force, on which it will submit a report of its findings to the Assembly within the next six weeks.

Included in the IAC’s submission to the Commission, which was presented by executive member Evan Rhaday Persaud, are the findings of four public consultations primarily targeting Indo-Guyanese in Regions 2, 4 and 6. The consultations were held in Region 6, between No. 63 Village and Crabwood Creek, in Region 4 between Industry and La Bonne Intention and Eccles and Grove, and in Region 2 between Suddie and Henrietta. A total of 1375 persons were surveyed, 977 were Indo-Guyanese and the remainder comprised other races.

Aside from being asked about the ethnic balance of the forces and whether Indian recruits suffered discrimination, the respondents were also asked to consider if the salaries and incentives for members within the force should be increased; if promotional criteria should be clearly defined and performance related; if consideration should be given to the dietary peculiarities of Indo-Guyanese recruits; if more people could be recruited into these forces; if the trainers are properly qualified and professional; and if trained recruits should be placed within proximity of their place of origin or abode.

The surveys found that 100% of the Indo-Guyanese respondents believe that forces should take the dietary peculiarities of Indo-Guyanese recruits into consideration, while 220 of the remaining respondents thought otherwise.

On whether recruits should be placed within proximity of their homes, 1302 of the respondents said yes. On the questions of increasing salaries, the need for transparency in promotions and the need for qualified instructors, there was a unanimous consensus among all of the respondents who were surveyed.

Based on the findings of the survey, the IAC recommends that the DFC ensure that the Disciplined Forces are ethnically balanced as early as possible; that mechanisms be put in place to ensure that the Indo-Guyanese recruits in the disciplined services are not subjected to discrimination; that dietary peculiarities of Indians be given the fullest consideration; that government increase salaries, allowances and incentives to encourage more recruits to enlist within the force; that mechanisms be put in place to ensure that promotional criteria within the services are clearly defined; that where possible recruits are stationed within proximity of their place or origin or abode.

They also recommend that the commission ensure that mechanisms are in place to monitor the implementation of all recommendations approved by the National Assembly.

The survey on this latter point found that 1362 of the respondents were in support of such mechanisms and held the view that they would serve to encourage enlistment in the services.

When asked by members of the Commission whether there was any proof of discrimination suffered by Indo-Guyanese within the force, Persaud conceded that the IAC has for the most part received anecdotal reports.

The Chairman of the Commission Justice of Appeal Ian Chang, considering the ethnic balance proposal, asked Persaud if, in the implementation, it would be possible to avoid bringing the ethnic division present in the wider society which could create a racial implosion within the forces.

Further, he pointed out that the balance of the force could also result in ethnic security fears among Afro-Guyanese, adding to the concerns which are already highlighted by Indo-Guyanese.

These considerations prompted Persaud to note that there is also a need for cross-cultural education to erase such insecurities.

“Don’t you think that is the type of solution you need? It is not a race problem but a problem with the personnel that you have.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Walter Ramsahoye reappeared before the Commission yesterday afternoon and was subjected to further cross-examination by its members and attorney for the Police Force, Bernard de Santos.