Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee says an investigation has been launched into torture allegations against the Guyana Police Force. Minister Rohee says the ministry will not stop until all measures are explored to ensure that the law is transparent.

There are allegations that 26 year old Shaka Chase of 169 East Ruimveldt, Georgetown was tortured by police to confess that he murdered police officer, Romain Cleto near Avenue of the Republic and Regent Streets on April 27.

The police, in a statement denied these claims.

On May 15, 2013, the police said they received a statement from an eye-witness who identified Shaka Chase as one of the persons in the motor car immediately before the shooting.

The police also revealed that lab reports indicate that the swab from Shaka Chase’s hands was positive for gunpowder residue.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and The Environment will not condone “miners are targeted” in the interior even as operation El Dorado continues to curb illegal mining.

This was the view of Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Robert Persaud while addressing the media recently.

“Every time the individuals or the mining community raises an issue, there is a mechanism with the Guyana Police Force and The Ministry of Home Affairs, we tend to have those investigated you saw some persons were even persecuted if they were involved in illegal activity targeting miners and so forth.”

The minister says every complaint is taken seriously and the ministry does not want anyone to shake down miners be it a local or foreign miner. Meanwhile illegal mining still continue to be of concern to the ministry

“That is why we are sustaining operation El Dorado and we have staff going out, in fact we have a team out right now because we have received reports of some incursions and that team is investigating; whenever there are reports in addition to the routine we do go out and we do send out its part of the mandate.”

Illegal by nationals and non-nationals have been an issue because of the gold rush in Guyana’s interior however currently there is a fluctuation in the price for gold.

More pressure is mounting on city mayor Hamilton Green to step down from his post, which he has been holding for almost two decades.

A small group of persons launched a protest outside city hall yesterday, calling on Green to step down, in face of allegations of racial profiling by the mayor and city constables.

Last week a one man protest was staged after city constables were accused of targeting 3 persons of Indian ancestry that were awaiting transportation in the downtown area.

Radio and television personality, Ossie Rogers staged the protest in front of city hall over what he deemed racial profiling against East Indian Guyanese.

Rodgers said he had received on his television programme numerous complaints from many persons, including market vendors who claim to have been racially profiled by the mayor.

However, the incident which fuelled the protest actions occurred two Fridays ago on the route 44 minibus park, where Rogers said he would normally meet with friends in the afternoons.

A load shedding schedule has been put in place for the Wismar and Mackenzie shore, which will see them being provided with electricity on a rotation system.

Chief executive officer of the Linden Electricity Company Incorporated (LECI), Horace James said that during the discussions held with LUSCSL and Bosai officials, strategies were looked to have electricity fairly distributed to the community, in which priority will be given to the Linden Hospital Complex and the water plants.

This strategy saw electricity being distributed through a rotation system, where various areas will receive electricity at an eight hour interval.

The CEO added that Linden demands 7.2 megawatts to provide electricity for all consumers but due to the three damaged engines at Bosai only 4.5 to 5 megawatts is available, hence the load shedding system.

He further stated that efforts are being made to have normalcy restored by Thursday May 23.

Last Monday the Bosai power plant faced technicalities with three of its engines which resulted in the partial shutdown of electricity to the plant resulting in a fluctuation of electricity supply to consumers.

Authorities in the extractive sector are urging persons who are affected by mercury poisoning to consult with health agencies, and not the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).

At a press briefing on Tuesday, Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud, noted that the phasing out of mercury continues however until that time, efforts continue to minimize risk.

Minister Persaud noted that mercury is not only used in the mining sector, and there are stringent efforts to lessen its use in Guyana.

He says there will be collaboration between GGMC and the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), to introduce more miners to mercury free gold mining technology.

The ministry of public works is urging the general public to take all necessary precautions during the spring tide period of May 22 through the 30^, as tides are predicted above normal levels.

Among the areas particularly susceptible to possible flooding as a result overtopping is: Onderneeming, Zeelandia, Vreed En Hoop, Kitty, Georgetown to Ogle on the East Coast of Demerara, West Coast Berbice, and along the banks of the Canje River.

The highest tide is expected to be on Sunday May 26, at 4 hours 45, at a height of 3.21m.

In addition to the indicated area, persons living along the banks of rivers and low lying coastal areas are advised to take all the necessary precautions against possible flooding.

Precaution should also be taken by all mariners, including those operating fishing vessels.

Use of beaches and foreshore for recreational activities during this period is not advised.

The ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is predicted to win in the event of a snap election, to resolve the parliamentary impasse of the opposition holding a majority.

This is according to an opinion survey conducted by the North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA) earlier this month.

According to a release, the poll randomly interviewed 600 voters to yield a demographically representative sample of the population (44% Indians, 30% Africans, 16% mixed, 9% Amerindians, and 1% other races).

The release went on to say that when asked if an election were called, how they would vote, 45% said the PPP, 36% said the PNC or APNU, 6% said the AFC, and less than 1% said others; with 12% saying they were undecided.

The poll was conducted in face-to-face interviews, and was coordinated by Vishnu Bisram, a pollster, newspaper columnist, and an educator in New York with no affiliation to any political party.

Opposition members of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), who are sitting on the select committee for the anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism amendment bill, walked out of the select committee meeting.

APNU’s member, Debra Backer informed the Chairperson of the committee, Gail Teixeira, that the party’s leader, David Granger wrote a letter to President Donald Ramotar inquiring why a letter which was sent by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force dated 2013-04-10, was not shared with the Opposition.

According to reports, Backer informed the Chairperson that she was instructed by Mr. Granger that APNU will not participate in the discussions for the amendment bill until they receive a satisfactory response from the President.

Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC) Khemraj Ramjattan reportedly left the meeting as well. The special select committee is expected to meet again today.

The Guyana Police Force is denying the torture allegations against it, by the man accused of killing Police Corporal, Romaine Cleto.

The police in a statement denied that Shaka Chase, who was charged with the murder, was assaulted or tortured, while in police custody, into admitting that he had committed the crime as is being alleged by relatives.

According to the statement, chase went to the East Ruimveldt Police Outpost and told the police that he had received information that the police wanted him for the murder of the policeman.

At that time police investigators were still processing the scene and interviewing persons and had no information as to any suspect. However, the police explained that chase was interviewed and his hands were swabbed and he was released on bail.

On May 15, 2013, the police said they received a statement from an eye-witness who identified Shaka Chase as one of the persons in the motor car immediately before the shooting.

According to the police, the eye-witness also said that Shaka Chase was known to the eye-witness for several years. The police also revealed that lab reports indicate that the swab from Shaka Chase’s hands was positive for gunpowder residue.

The Guyana Police Force is denying the torture allegations against it, by the man accused of killing Police Corporal, Romaine Cleto.

The police in a statement denied that Shaka Chase, who was charged with the murder, was assaulted or tortured, while in police custody, into admitting that he had committed the crime as is being alleged by relatives.

According to the statement, chase went to the East Ruimveldt Police Outpost and told the police that he had received information that the police wanted him for the murder of the policeman.

At that time police investigators were still processing the scene and interviewing persons and had no information as to any suspect. However, the police explained that chase was interviewed and his hands were swabbed and he was released on bail.

On May 15, 2013, the police said they received a statement from an eye-witness who identified Shaka Chase as one of the persons in the motor car immediately before the shooting.

According to the police, the eye-witness also said that Shaka Chase was known to the eye-witness for several years. The police also revealed that lab reports indicate that the swab from Shaka Chase’s hands was positive for gunpowder residue.

A section of the participants at the First Aid Training at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC)

The Guyana Tourism Authority has recently completed a two day training for tour guides, which concludes the first phase of first aid training for the year.

The sessions were conducted by Mr. Railton Evelyn from St. John’s ambulance brigade and equip participants with a valid first aid certificate, which will be valid for three years.

Areas covered during the two-day sessions included guidelines of first aid, emergency scene management, making a diagnosis, signs and symptoms, fractures, wounds and bandages, among others.

Participants included tour guides from various companies including wilderness explorers, wonderland tours, dragon tours, and rainforest tours among others.