Ramjattan has “difference of opinion” with some findings of COI into assassination plot

The report which was submitted to the President and laid before the National Assembly on Thursday recommended punitive action to be taken against several high-ranking police officers.

Ramjattan has “difference of opinion” with some findings of COI into assassination plot

Public Security Minister Khemraj on Friday briefly addressed some of the findings of the Commission of Inquiry into allegations of a plot to assassinate President David Granger.

The report which was submitted to the President and laid before the National Assembly on Thursday recommended punitive action to be taken against several high-ranking police officers.

It recommended the firing of Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud and the reassigning of several ranks within the Criminal Investigation Department.

Ramjattan said he had some “fundamental differences” with the report, although not commenting specifically on those differences.

“I wouldn’t want to go into that … you want me to go and cause division now?”, he asked.

The Public Security Minister, who has oversight for the Guyana Police Force, said the COI report was not discussed at Cabinet but he had an opportunity to peruse it and he has differences in the opinion expressed in the report.

Asked how will his differing views on the report affect the recommendations put forward, Ramjattan told reporters that the report was “only recommendatory.”

He explained that it is now left to the President to implement whatever recommendations he sees fit.

“That was only recommendatory. It is for the President to go on and do what has to be done but I am certain that the President is going to ask people like myself what I think and I will tell him what I think,” Ramjattan added.

Notwithstanding his concerns, Ramjattan said he was very happy that the COI was held because it revealed “a number of things” that are happening in the Guyana Police Force.

He dubbed the Inquiry a “useful exercise.”

In addition to recommending the firing of Persaud, who the Commission said caused investigating ranks to be apprehensive through in personal involvement in the matter, the COI also recommended sanctions and removal of other senior ranks.

None of the recommendations have been acted upon although the report was presented to the government over two months ago.

It is unclear why Cabinet is yet to have a discussion on the recommendations and the way forward. The Commission of Inquiry was conducted by retired Assistant Police Commissioner, Paul Slowe.

 

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