Latest update April 18th, 2024 12:01 AM
Sep 16, 2020 News
A community Vice President of Andy Ville Linden, Region 10, was on Saturday last, attacked and beaten by her neighbour over a year-long dispute for removing a fence to give them light.
Still in pain and recovering from the brutal attack is Monica Harris, 34.
Harris was reportedly attacked at around 07:20hrs while on her way to a shop within the Andy Ville community.
According to the woman, she was beaten by a group of four individuals which included two young males.
In a video seen by this newspaper, Harris was seen walking along a sand road when a female came out of a yard and began cursing and calling her names.
More persons joined in taunting the woman including two males.
Despite the taunts, Harris continued walking briskly but then one of the men who was dressed half naked, and sporting an uncombed Afro, attacked her.
He ran up from behind, knocked Harris off her feet and followed up with several punches. The woman retaliated in self-defense and was soon attacked by another male and a female. They dragged and beat her with their hands. Other nearby residents came out to rescue Harris and could be heard telling one of the men to leave her alone.
As they managed to pull the trio off of Harris, she claimed that another female ran up to her and hit her to the left side of her head with a piece of wood.
Harris reportedly fell to the ground again and was helped to her feet by her rescuers. She was subsequently taken to Wismar Police Station to lodge a complaint.
Harris then made her way to the district hospital for treatment and a medical.
One of the female attackers was subsequently arrested but the other three had gone into hiding when police arrived at the scene. That individual was, on Monday last, released on station bail. Police, however, has since been unable to apprehend the other three.
When Harris was asked as to why her neighbours would want to attack her, she responded that it has to do with the removal of a fence to plant light poles for the benefit of the entire Andy Ville community, including her attackers.
She explained that Andy Ville is a community inhabited by squatters and had been without light and water for years. She said that a group was elected to represent the community of which she was chosen as vice-president.
Harris said that for three years she had spearheaded an initiative to achieve the services of water and light in the community.
Finally, the then Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson had responded to their calls and agreed to provide the services they so badly needed.
In January 2019, works had begun for the installation of light poles. Harris claimed that in order to facilitate some of the light poles, her alleged attacker’s fence had to be removed along with a tree.
She further claimed that they were notified and made no objections.
“Members of the Andy Ville community assisted too in removing the fence and cutting down the tree”, said Harris.
Not long after, Harris continued, the alleged attackers approached her and demanded that she pay them for the dismantled fence.
Insisting that there was no reason for her to pay for the fence, Harris did not adhere to their demands.
“It is a squatting area and moreover they were notified but never objected, the whole community agreed too that the fence needed to be removed for the light poles to be planted and facilitate light for everyone”, contested Harris.
This, she said, aggravated her alleged attackers and for one year they taunted and threatened her repeatedly.
Harris said that she had even obtained a restraining court order against them.
“They stopped for a while but as of recent they began their name callings, threats and taunts again,” Harris said.
JAGDEO ADDING MORE DANGER TO GUYANA AND THE REGION
Apr 17, 2024
2024 CWI Regional 4-Day Championships Round 7…GHE vs. CCC Kaieteur Sports – After a highly-successful round 6, Guyana Harpy Eagles will look to take full advantage of the out-of-sorts...Kaieteur News – Every school teacher should take a close look at the students in his or her classroom. The probability... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Waterfalls Magazine – On April 10, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]