Jagdeo says no to offering testimony in Lindo Creek Massacre COI

Mr. Jagdeo, who is now Opposition Leader, has turned down an invitation to be interviewed by the Commission of Inquiry, saying he will not participate in any "charade" that seeks to denigrate the country’s Police ranks and soldiers.

Jagdeo says no to offering testimony in Lindo Creek Massacre COI

The work of the Lindo Creek Commission of Inquiry will have to wrap up without his a word from former President Bharrat Jagdeo.

Mr. Jagdeo, who is now Opposition Leader, has turned down an invitation to be interviewed by the Commission of Inquiry, saying he will not participate in any “charade” that seeks to denigrate the country’s Police ranks and soldiers.

On Wednesday during a memorial service for the eight miners who were murdered and burnt 10 years ago, Chairman of the Lindo Creek Commission of Inquiry, Justice Donald Trotman expressed hope that he will be able to secure an interview from several opposition members, including Jagdeo, who was President at the time.

The Chairman believes the information to be supplied by former President Bharrat Jagdeo, former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and former Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee will be useful in compiling the final report, since there names have been referenced several times during the presentation of evidence by others.

But Jagdeo told reporters on Thursday that he could not speak for Rohee and Hinds, he knows he will not participate in the hearing.

He said it is his belief that the “narrow” inquiry was “unnecessary” and should have looked at the entire period of crime wave involving the fine man gang.

Jagdeo said the inquiry should have also looked at the political figures from both sides and the role they might have played at the time of the crime wave.

While the Police and the GDF have always maintained that it was the criminal gang of now dead gang leader Rondell Fineman Rawlins that was responsible for the massacre, other witnesses have pointed fingers at the two security agencies.

Mr. Jagdeo said he believes the inquiry is an assault on the country’s soldiers and policemen who stood up during that period to defend the country.

Public hearings in the Inquiry came to an end recently. Several persons including members for the Disciplined Services, both past and present, and family members were allowed to testify.

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