More persons come forward to claim compensation

Jan 31, 2013 News

By Latoya Giles
Relatives of the three men who were shot and killed on July 18, 2012 when police allegedly opened fire at protestors at Linden are expected to come before the Commission of Inquiry today to make claims of compensation for their deaths.
The three Lindeners, Shemroy Bouyea, Allan Lewis and Ron Somerset, were allegedly shot by police who were trying to break up a protest at the Wismar-Mackenzie bridge after residents had occupied the structure in protest of an increase in electricity tariffs.
First to take the witness box was Carlton Mohan, who owned a truck and trailer which were destroyed during the “unrest” at Linden. According to the witness the value of the truck and trailer was some $8M.
The man told the Commission that he purchased the vehicle from Jumbo Jet auto dealers on hire purchase. Mohan said that he would haul logs and containers from various regions. He explained that he has receipts showing that he paid $6.6M already and has a remainder of $1.9M.
Mohan further told the Commission that he made an attempt to go for his truck but could not enter Linden. The man said that when he eventually saw the vehicle it was burnt and some of the parts were missing. He was asked whether the vehicle was insured and he answered in the affirmative.
However the insurance policy states that for third party insurance, which he has, the company does not cover loss or damage resulting from fire or riot.
Second to take the stand was Ruben Bowen, who had to return to hand over a medical report from Dr. Terrence Joseph. That report was tendered and Bowen was released.
Vishnu Singh, who owned and operated a fuel tanker yesterday, submitted a claim for $9.2M for a tanker which was burnt on July 18 at Linden. Linden resident Hugh Stevens who was shot in the eye, came yesterday to make the claim for his surgery.
According to the man a pellet is still lodged in his eye and he needs surgery to remove it. Stevens said that Guyana does not provide the service and he was advised that he needs to travel overseas. He was advised by Commissioner Knight to get an estimate of how much the surgery; airfare and hotel accommodation would cost and get back to the Commission.
Stevens has to return today to give the Commission the estimate. Another Linden resident, David Vigilance, during his testimony had claimed that the police took two gold rings, one gold chain and cash on July 18.
Vigilance told the commission that the two rings were worth some $300,000, the chain is another $300,000. The man also submitted claim for $300,000 in cash which he claimed went missing after he was beaten by the police.
However that claim of losing $300,000 cash didn’t sit too well with the commissioners, since the man neglected to mention that in his statement. The witness however maintained that his money was indeed taken when he was beaten.