Relatives of the policemen who were killed on Monday when an expoliceman, Solomon Blackman allegedly went on a rampage at the Brickdam Police Station are entitled to $1 million compensation from the government.
On Monday, it is said that the attacker wrestled a weapon from Constable Kester Cosbert's holster and proceeded to kill Lance Corporal 14177 Ramnarine Latchana of Ruimveldt Police Station compound and Assistant Superintendent Richard Griffith of 35 Middle Street McDoom, East Bank Demerara. He also shot and injured corporal Clifton Nelson and Cosbert and caused Royston Paddy to hurt himself when he jumped through a window in a bid to escape.
Following the murders of a number of police officers, beginning from April 2002, President Bharrat Jagdeo had announced that $1 million would be paid to the family of any officer who died in the line of duty. He had also promised that government would take care of the funeral expenses and any other related matters.
Twentyone policemen were killed between April 2002 and Monday. Stabroek News was told that while most of the relatives of these officers benefited from the compensation some persons were yet to receive theirs.
Contacted on Thursday, Pamela Griffith, widow of ASP, Griffith said on Wednesday a police officer informed her that she was entitled to the compensation without going into details. However, the woman said she could not deal with that matter now since she was too busy making preparations for her husband's funeral which she hopes will be before Tuesday.
Meanwhile, when contacted, Latchana's wife, Rohini said she had not received any such information.
Both families confirmed that the police were taking care of the funeral expenses.