Stolen AK-47s: Army officers likely to be charged
By Neil Marks
Guyana Chronicle
December 21, 2006
WITH the disappearance of high-powered weapons from its headquarters and the murder of a young Army cadet, Chief of Staff Brigadier General Edward Collins yesterday said 2006 was marked with “periods of incredible embarrassment” for the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) but he vowed that all is being done to recover the weapons and deal with the misconduct of ranks.
Speaking to reporters after he addressed soldiers at Camp Stephenson, Timehri, Brigadier General Collins said while the enquiry into the disappearance of the weapons has been completed and a “multitude of breaches” were identified, the questions of who exactly moved the weapons and to where were left unanswered.
He said “three or four” officers are likely to be charged and face disciplinary measures for failing to obey regulations.
Thirteen of the 30 AK-47 rifles which were discovered missing in February have been recovered and Collins said in keeping with President Bharrat Jagdeo’s directive that the weapons be recovered, the Army is doing all within its power.
He noted too that the murder of military student Amar Rajkumar, who died on April 11 due to a blow to the back of his head while training, is before the courts. Sources have indicated that two officers of the GDF are on remand.
Collins said 2006 was a progressive year, yet disappointing because of such incidents. It was an even more bitter-sweet day for the soldiers yesterday as the customary address by Commander-in-Chief, President Jagdeo was absent.
It was one of the rare occasions the President missed, but he is likely to attend the traditional Soldiers Day at Camp Ayanganna today, Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon said.
The soldiers look forward to the Commander-in-Chief’s address, as it is the time when he usually announces their “Christmas bonus”. Luncheon could not make any such commitment to the soldiers and urged them to wait for today’s announcement.
A six per cent increase in salaries, retroactive to January 1, 2006, for the Army and the other Disciplined Services, has already been announced by the government.
The President’s absence from the occasion put a damper on the celebrations. As is customary, senior Army ranks serve their juniors on Soldier’s Day.
A much looked forward flair is the tradition of the President, the Army top brass and the junior ranks drinking from the same container. Women soldiers usually take the opportunity to “get down” to dancing with the Commander-in-Chief.
As they celebrated yesterday, Collins urged the soldiers to rededicate themselves to preserving the peace and security of the nation.
He said he also looked forward to the continued cooperation with the Police as they work together to keep crime under control.
He noted that because of the cooperation, the usual violence that follows general elections in Guyana was not evident this year, but he said this should not be reason for complacency.
He said despite the challenges faced in 2006, he could not have asked for a better performance from the soldiers, noting that the Army remained steadfast.
Luncheon, who also serves as Chairman to the Defence Board, said the military is an institution first among many because it has been constant in staying its ground and in making its contribution to the development of Guyana.
He said in the Army’s seamless integration with the other law enforcement agencies in fighting crime, it has lived up to the expectations of the state and of the people of Guyana.
Luncheon noted that Guyana is not the safest place in the world, but said the commitment of the Army to stay the course deserves recognition and commendation.
For the new year, he urged the military to rise above the disappointments of this year.