THE Guyana Police Force is continuing its efforts to locate Vivekanand Nandalall of Non Pariel, East Coast Demerara, who was allegedly kidnapped on October 16, 2003, a detailed statement from the Police said yesterday.
An intensive search party comprising over 50 ranks from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, members of the Tactical Services Unit, C.I.D and Anti-Crime Units was subsequently launched at 09:00 hrs on October 17, following the discovery of the victim's motorcar, on Annandale Railway Embankment at about 06:10 hrs.
Since then, the following activities have been conducted:
The vehicle was immediately dusted and six sets of fingerprints were uplifted. Between 09:00 and 11:55 hrs, Police teams conducted searches in Buxton Backlands, cordoned off and searched five abandoned houses and homes along Company Road. During this process, one man was arrested, questioned and subsequently released.
The said morning, ranks visited the victim's relatives and spent the greater part of the day there until late into the evening.
Between 12:15 and 13:40 hrs, Police teams cordoned off and searched four houses and one abandoned house between Buxton and Strathspey Squatting Area. A quantity of clothing, a pair of boots, and some towels, were found at a house on Middle Street. One woman was arrested during this search. She is before the Court on several charges ranging from indecent exposure to obstructing a peace officer.
Between 14:25 and 15:50 hrs, eight abandoned buildings were searched in the Bare Root Area. And from 17:10 to 17:50 hrs, seven houses were searched at Brusche Dam, Friendship. One man was arrested for questioning and later released.
Later in the evening of Friday, October 17, the ransom demand was reduced from $5M to $1M. At about 4:00 hrs on Saturday, October 18, 2003, this money was delivered, but the victim was not seen and there was no further contact from the kidnappers.
Police searched three houses and one abandoned building between 09:15 and 09:55 hrs at Watson Street, North Friendship.
Then, between 10:35 and 11:05 hrs, Police searched six stalls at Company Road Market following a tip-off that one of the suspects was earlier seen on the Buxton Railway Embankment Road.
Three men were arrested, but they were later released on bail.
Between 11:20 and 12:35 hrs, four houses were searched between Church of God Road and Sideline Dam. Then from 13:15 to 15:00 hrs, ranks cordoned off and searched four houses between Brusche Dam, Annandale and Golden Grove.
A woman suspected of being an acquaintance of one of the suspects was arrested, processed and later released on bail on Sunday, October 19. At about 15:35 hrs, Police, based on information received, arrested four persons, but no useful information was obtained from these individuals.
Between 16:30 and 16:35 hrs, a house at Company Road was cordoned off and searched. Then, between 16:55 and 17:30 hrs, ranks patrolled the Bare Root Area and questioned a number of persons. But, again, no useful information was obtained.
Sometime between 18:05 and 18:25 hrs, two persons came to the Police claiming that they were wanted in relation to the kidnapping. They were processed and later released on the very day, Sunday, October 19.
On Sunday, also, between 11:00 and 13:00 hrs, 13 abandoned houses were searched in the Bare Root Area.
Around midday, the home of a relative of one of the suspects was searched, then from around 13:15 to 14:05 hrs, Police teams conducted searches in the East Ville Backdam area.
Acting on information, Police arrested a woman from Bachelor's Adventure at about 15:20 hrs. The woman was processed and later released.
Then at 15:35 hrs, an electrician, who had allegedly made a call on October 16 from the shop of a relative of the victim, was arrested. He was subsequently released.
Yesterday, between 05:15 and 06:45 hrs, ranks conducted searches on abandoned buildings at Bare Root, Bachelor's Adventure. A piece of duct tape with hair attached was found along the access road leading to the canefields.
Additionally, during this period from the time of the report of the kidnapping to yesterday morning, several other activities inherent in law enforcement have been conducted, but due to their nature, information cannot be divulged.
The Police statement concluded: "Thus far, 87 houses/buildings have been searched and 23 persons have been arrested, detained and/or questioned, while area searches were conducted in Buxton, East Ville, Bare Root, paradise and Enterprise Back Dams.
"The Police Force is cognizant of the apprehensions of some members of the public due to the fact that success has not been achieved as yet.
"We urge all citizens to continue to support law enforcement efforts despite the perceived difficulties and frustrations."