GUYANA
UNDER SIEGE
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X-13:
PNC TERRORISM
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APPENDIX
III Criminal
Investigation department, Since the
report was put up by me on the 11th September, 1963, there were 12 incidents
of bombing in the city of Georgetown and environs which caused great damage
to property, loss of lives and injury to persons. Among the buildings
bombed were:- Rio Cinema These bombings
followed the pattern of those of the previous year except in some cases
after the explosion there was fire. It is important to note that in 1963
it was planned to bomb the Rio Cinema and the building at D'Urban &
Hardina Sts., and they were bombed during these outrages in 1964. The facts
are as follows:- RIO CINEMA: On Friday,
10th July, 1964, the Management of the Cinema advertised and undertook
to present two East Indian Films entitled 'Ek Saal' & 'Banjarin' for
the 5 o'clock matinee at a reduced rate. The show which commenced at 4.30
p.m. was attended predominantly by persons of East Indian decent. Prior
to the commencement the windows were closed up as usual because of the
daylight reflection inside and opened soon after 6.30 p.m. when the place
became dark. By that time 225 tickets were sold for the stalls, 134 for
the House and 40 for balcony, making a total of 399 patrons attending. About 8.15
p.m. which was just about 15 minutes before the show was scheduled to
end, patrons in the Cinema saw a lighted object coming through one of
the southern windows and it fell in the Stall section of the building,
followed shortly afterwards by a deafening explosion which caused patrons
in the entire cinema to panic. The explosion caused the death of Sumintra,
aged 64 years, Bettymoon, 34 years, and Esther Persaud, 15 years. Sheila
Persaud aged 24 yrs who was conveyed with other injured persons to the
Georgetown Hospital by the Police and ambulance service died in the institution
the following day. The other injured persons are - John Ram aged 14 years,
Rudolph Gangadeen aged 15 years, Ishmael Mohamed aged 30 years, Babsie
Boodhoo aged 22 years, Roopnarine aged 26 years, and Durga Persaud aged
about 24 years. Investigations
have disclosed that Soana Ragnath who lives 4 rods south of the Cinema
was standing opposite his home and standing opposite his home and facing
the Cinema, hurled a lighted object through an open window on the same
side and ran away east along the same dam. The other persons, namely Ruby
Hack and Juliet Rampersaud who admitted seeing someone throw a lighted
object into the Cinema into the Cinema gave a different version. They
claimed that they saw two men, who lit the object and the other threw
it. They both ran in an alleyway west of the cinema. The description given
of the two men by these persons were vague and they stated quite clearly
that they would not be able to identify the persons if seen again. In the meantime
photographs were taken of the scene of the explosion after which debris
which comprised of pieces of metal nail heads and other articles were
collected and forwarded to the Govt. Analyst for expert examination. The
analyst in his report was unable to identify any explosive substance in
these articles. Post Mortem examination was performed on the bodies of
the deceased after which they were handed over to the relatives and buried
accordingly. It may be mentioned here that two nail heads were removed
from the back of the bodies of Bettymoon and Esther Persaud at the Post
mortem examination and one from Rose Persaud at an emergency operation.
The Post Mortem examination revealed that they died as a result of hemorrhage
and shock due to multiple bomb injuries. LIQUOR RESTAURANT
AT D'URBAN & HARDINA STREETS In August,
1963, Doodharie who hails from Good Hope, E.B.D. rented the building from
Sawh at a monthly rent of $140:-. He Doodharie carried on a Liquor Restaurant
in the south eastern section of the bottom flat and a grocery on the north
western portion of the said bottom flat. The bottom flat was secured by
four wooden doors and two windows. The liquor restaurant had the other
three doors and one window, two in the eastern side with entrance from
Hardina St., and the other on the northern side with entrance from Hardina
St., and the other in the northern side with entrance from Hardina St.,
and the other on the northern side with entrance from D'Urban St. All
these were secured by means of iron bars from the outside. There was a
counter running north to south in the restaurant joining one running east
to west which was that used in the grocery, leaving a space about 8 feet
for customers. There was also a wall on the eastern side of the grocery
which separated it from the liquor restaurant. On the southern most portion
and almost half of the width of the eastern portion there were rooms and
the lavatory while the other half was used as a storeroom, dining room,
kitchen by Doodharie. The floor of the inner portion of the restaurant
where Doodharie dwells was constructed of boards whilst the other portion
was concrete. The upper
flat housed the living quarters of Doodharie and his family of eleven,
namely Chandra, his wife, his children, Evelyn Singh, age 7 years, Chaman
Lall, aged 6 years (deceased), Agnes aged 3 years, Shirley Singh aged
9 months (deceased) his father Ramsarran and mother Basmat, his nephew
Deo Paul and Sookdeo Ramkripaul and niece Mainawattie. There was an internal
stairway situated about mid way on the western side of the building running
from the lower flat, north to south, east to west, connecting the upper
flat. This was the only means of entry and exit to the said upper flat.
There were four bedrooms in the upper flat. One on the north western side
which was occupied by Doodharie, his wife Chandra and Children Chaman
Lall, Shirley Singh (deceased) and Agnes. One on the north eastern corner
which was occupied by Deo Persaud and south of this was one occupied by
Ramsarran (deceased). Somaria called Basmat, Mainawattie Rampripaul. Each
bedroom had a door which led to the sitting room. These were glass windows
around the building. On Friday,
22nd May, 1964, there was a disturbance and racial clashes in the country
and in Georgetown. At about 8.30 p.m. about 16 negro boys stoned Doodharieís
building as a result of which damage was done to two sweet bottles and
sweets valued $5:- Doodharie identified one of the boys whom he knows
well but not by name. He saw the boy pelt the stones which broke the bottles.
He reported the matter to the Police who went to the scent and carried
out investigations but the boy escaped. On Thursday,
28th may, 1964, at about 2.30 p.m. Doodharie was in his restaurant when
he saw the said person who broke his sweet bottles walk past him on D'Urban
street. He reported this to the Police who went to the person. Doodharie
then took the Police to a parlour on D'urban St., and pointed out the
person who gave his name as John Grimes. He was brought in for further
inquires and was placed on station bail to return on 15th June, 1964,
but he did not return. From the time On Monday,
13th July, 1964 at about 8.30 p.m. Chandra and Sukdeo Ramkripaul close
all the doors and windows of the restaurant except one on the eastern
side which was kept open to allow customers who were still drinking inside
the restaurant to have exit. At the said time the said persons were in
the restaurant, Doodharie was standing behind the counter facing Hardina
St., speaking to Dennis Ross who was sitting at the north-eastern corner
behind the counter reading a newspaper. Dukdeo Ramkripaul called Seeraj
was in the kitchen, Arthur Wilson and Clement Devine were drinking in
one of the rooms. Chandra was standing by the open door looking over Hardina
St. The other members of the family Ramsaran, Chaman Lall (deceased) were
in the upper flat. Whilst Chandra
was standing by the door and Doodharie behind the counter, they both saw
the same negro man (John grimes) who had broken the sweet bottles threw
a lighted tin through the open door into the restaurant. Chandra shouted
"O lord run out". Doodharie shouted "O God, look this boy
throw a bomb, lie down low". Chandra then saw the negro fellow running
south on Hardina St. She shouted "hold him, hold him,". He turned
west into Norton St., and escaped. On the shout of Doodharie, Ross ran
out and saw the man running away whom he said was the same man who had
threatened Doodhaire. All the other occupants in the restaurant lay down
on the floor, face downwards. Seconds later there was a loud explosion
which caused fire. They ran out of the restaurant and stared to scream.
Mainawattie and Somaria ran down the internal stairway and escaped leaving
the three deceased persons. The explosion
caused a large crowd the gather by that time the entire building was on
fire. At 8.55 p.m. a report of the fire was received at the Fire Brigade
Head quarters and the Brigade with two water tenders under Chief Fire
Officer L. Watkins and Mr. R.A. Spellen, Deputy Fire Officer, arrived
on the scene. Before the Brigade arrived Fireman No. 80 Thomas who was
off duty and was travelling in his motor car on Hardina Street and heard
the explosion, and returning and seeing the building on fire, climbed
a sign post and together with Christopher Fields who was also at the scene
rescued Ramsarran (deceased) Evelyn Singh and Agnes. According to Thomas,
he could not see into the building because of the smoke, to rescue the
others. As a result of the fire Deo Persaud, Mainawattie Persaud, Dennis
Ross and Ramsarran received injuries. They were all taken to the Georgetown
Hospital where they were examined by Dr. Sankar who issued medical reports
as follows: Deo Persaud
- multiple punctured wounds on the left upper limbs and left upper abdomen;
quadular C imbedded pieces of metal; tenderness and (2) a lacerated wound
on the L elbow joint 1 x 1/5 inches deep caused by explosive (material)
substance. The scene
was visited by Police together with the Govt. Analyst and Govt. Bacteriologist
& Pathologist, all of whom carried out on the spot investigation.
The police photographer also took pictures of the burnt house and that
of the bodies of the deceased. Control samples were taken from various
places among the debris on the instruction of the Govt. Analyst who is
now carrying out his investigation. On Tuesday,
14th July, 1964, at about 11.00 a.m. the bodies of Chaman Lall and Shirley
Singh which were found in the north-western bedroom were removed to Lyken's
Funeral Parlour and on Wednesday, 15th July, 1964, the bodies were taken
to the Georgetown Hospital Mortuary where a post mortem examination with
dissection was performed by Dr. Balwant Singh, after which they were handed
over to relatives for burial which took place on 16th July, 18964, at
La Repentir Cemetery and the graves marked. On Friday,
17th July, 1964 at about 7.40 p.m. Ramsarran died at the Georgetown Hospital
from the burns received as a result of the fire. On Monday, 20th July,
1964, a post Mortem examination with dissection was performed on his body
and on Tuesday, 21st July, 1964 it was buried at Good Hope, E.C.D. The deceased,
Chaman Lall, had a life Insurance Policy which was in force with the British
American Life Insurance Co. Ltd., for $560:- with double indemnity. The
total loss suffered by Doodharie is about $40,000:- which included his
stock & household belongings. On the 28th
July, 1964 a warrant was applied for the arrest of John Grimes for murder.
Contrary to Section 100 of the Criminal Law (Offenses) Ordinance, Chapter
10. Dennis Ross
died on the 14th August, 1964, as a result of injuries he received. FREEDOM HOUSE-
41 ROBB STREET, GEORGETOWN. On the 17th
July, 1964, at about 10.45 a.m. Michael Forde, deceased, Una Mulsac, Patricia
Christian, Mary Nunes and Hilda Gouveia were in the book shop. At that
time a man of African decent entered the book shop with a parcel. He inquired
about books and was shown a book entitled 'NEW CUBA' by Hilda Gouveia
who asked him to buy it. He did so by paying her with a dollar note. The
book cost 5¢. Hilda Gouveia handed the money to the deceased, Michael
Forde, who was then the cashier. She was given 95¢ to give the purchaser
of the book but the man had left the shop leaving a parcel behind which
he had taken there. Hilda Gouveia
drew Michael Forde's attention to the parcel and she went out of the shop
advertising books on the pavement. Michael Forde reported to Una Mulsac
what happened and Mulsac told him to take the parcel outside. He took
the parcel outside followed by Mary Nunes and Patricia Christian. While
he was outside the building on the eastern side, he attempted to open
the parcel which exploded killing him instantly and injuring the following
persons who were on the premises:- UNA MULSAC
DAVID MICHAEL Freedom House
was extensively damaged and a building immediately east of it was demolished. GIMPEX BUILDING
- BRICKDAM On the 17th
July, 1964 about 10.30 a.m. a man of African decent entered the yard and
went to the building with a parcel in his hand. He had a discussion with
Raymond Mohamed about the price of car tires. Raymond Mohamed sent the
man to Michael Haynes, a clerk in the said building. He went upstairs
and left the building in a haste telling Raymond Mohamed that he, Mohamed,
must get the price for him as he would return. Shortly after
he left, there was a loud explosion at the northern side of the building
which damaged it to the extent of $12,000:- and killed Edward Griffith
who was in the yard. The explosion caused fire which damaged goods to
the value of $20,000:-. These goods were not insured. This explosion occurred
immediately after the one at Freedom House. The following
persons were injured as a result of the explosion:- Henry Sharpe
- Medical report not yet obtained. On 18th July,
1964, Dr. Balwant Singh performed a Post Mortem on the body of Edward
Griffith and the body later buried. The doctor found that the cause of
death was due to hemorrhage and shock due to explosive device. LIQUOR RESTAURANT
- ALEXANDER & CHARLOTTE STS. On Wednesday,
22nd July, 1964 at about 8.35 p.m. Darshanand Ramrattan, one of Ramrattan's
sons was standing by the door of the restaurant looking in a westerly
direction when he saw a negro man towing another on a lady's bicycle on
its carrier. Whilst looking at them, he saw the one who was being towed
got off the bicycle and moved towards him. He kept on looking and saw
the rider rode past and turned north on Alexander St. As the one who was
walking was about to pass him he saw him throw a parcel through the opened
door into the restaurant which caused an explosion. The man ran north
in Alexander St., and escaped. Damage was
done to the extent of $1,250:- in the restaurant and the following persons
were injured:- (i) Parbattie
Ramrattan Lacerated wound (L) leg. SHOP AT EAST
& MURRAY STS., GEORGETOWN On the time
given about (8.25) p.m. a lighted object was thrown through the eastern
window of the parlour from East Street. The object struck the floor and
rolled towards the passage leading to the living room,. Ramnarine Singh
went outside the parlour and saw a man of African decent walking away
north along East Street. As the man saw him he ran towards Middle St.
He Ramnarine Singh, ran after him and shouted "hold him". The
man jumped on a bicycle bar and rode away in company with another man.
In Middle St., they disappeared from him. By that time there was an explosion
in the parlour and two of the four persons, namely Hardai and Deodat who
were inside were killed. The other two persons Jairam Chedie and Shrikant
Cheddie were injured and were examined by Dr. Sankar whose Medical Report
reads as follows:- Jairam Cheddie
- Multiple punctured wounds on the legs (L) arm and abdomen caused by
explosive materials. Dr. Balwant
Singh performed Post Mortem examination on the bodies of Deodat and Hardai
Kissoon on 25th July, 1964 and found that the cause of death of both persons
was laceration of the brain with hemorrhage due to injury to the head
and multiple bomb injuries respectively. The bodies were later buried. HOUSE AT
32 CROSS STREET, MC DOOM VILLAGE, E.B.D. On the 26th
July, 1964 at 1.40 a.m. there was an explosion under the southern side
of the building which caused damage to the bottom flat of the building
and household effects to the extent of $2,500:-. The following
persons were killed as a result of the explosion:- Evelyn Samaroo,
aged 21 years. The dead
bodies were moved to the Georgetown Hospital mortuary where Post Mortem
examination were carried out on them by Dr. Balwant Singh after which
the bodies were handed over to relatives who buried them. Dr. Balwant
Singh gave the cause of death as follows:- Evelyn Samaroo
- Haemorrhage and shock due to multiple injuries. Immediately
after the explosion a man of African decent was seen in the vicinity of
the house hiding in a clump of bushes. An alarm was made and the man ran.
He was chased by John Devince, Compton Frank and George Johnson. The man
escaped from them and entered a canefield. One side of a pair of black
shoes was found in a yard the man entered and disappeared. On 9th August,
1964, at about 2.00 a.m. the Police received certain information at Brickdam
Police Station. As a result of the information received, a police party
went to the Elizabeth Guest House at Charlotte & Wellington Sts. and
searched a room occupied by Emanuel Fairbairn who is known as Emanuel
Batson or Hommel. In the room the Police found 657 rounds ammunition for
various types of firearms, one .38 caliber pistol, one .22 pistol, ten
sticks gelatine, 5 detenators 2 time devices for setting of electrical
charges, safety fuse, Army regulations belt and caps. Fairbairn told the
police that the articles were given to him by Janet Jagan, General Secretary
of the People's Progressive Party, but later confessed that he mentioned
that on Friday, 17th July, 1964, at 8.00 a.m. Claude Graham had given
him a small square box and told him that it was a bomb for GIMPEX. He
must give it to Godfrey Egerton and he would carry it. He had done as
he was instructed. Following
this, he also confessed that on the 17th day of July, 1964, Clive Wilson
had given him in the presence of George Roberts at Congress Place, a parcel
bomb & instructed him to leave it at Freedom House, and he did so.
George Roberts was found and questioned. He denied being present when
the bomb was given to Fairbairn. Clive Wilson was not found to date. Emanuel
Fairbairn also mentioned that he was employed at the Firm of Messrs..
Clarke & Martin, Solicitors, as a watchman. L.F.S. Burnham is a member
of this Firm. As a result
of questioning, Godfrey Egerton was taken into Police Custody. He confessed
that the had taken a parcel bomb to Gimpex on 17th July, 1964 at the instruction
of Emanuel Fairbairn and he left it there. Between 5.00
and 6.00 p.m,. on the 9th August, 1964 police and army carried out a search
on the premises of Claude Graham at Perseverance, E.C.D., and two home
made gelignite bombs were found buried in a fibre shed. The following
persons were found on the premises:- William Joseph. An explosive
expert from the British Army found that the bombs were dangerous and as
a result they were destroyed. The four persons named above and Claude
Graham were subsequently charged under regulation 49A (1) (b) of the Emergency
regulation 1964. On the 20th
August, 1964 Godfrey Egerton who was in custody of Michael Forde a result
of the explosion which occurred at Freedom house and also the murder of
Edward Griffith as a result of the bombing at Gimpex. Charges will
be brought against Emanuel Fairbairn for the murder of Michael Forde as
a result of the explosion which occurred at Freedom House; and also the
murder of Edward Griffith as a result of the bombing at GIMPEX. He will
also be charged with possession of ammunition, firearms and explosives
under Regulation 49A (1) (b) of the emergency powers regulations 1964. Emanuel Fairbain
is now in St. Joseph's mercy Hospital suffering from injuries he received.
Medical report in relation to the injuries are attached. COPY EMANUEL FAIRBAIRN COPY On Friday
the 17th July, 1964 at 10.30 a.m. I received a parcel bomb from one Clive
Wilson of east La Penitence Housing Scheme at Congress Place, Camp St.
Georgetown. He told me to carry it to Freedom House at Robb St., Georgetown.
One George Roberts was with me when Clive Wilson gave me the bomb. This
George Roberts belongs to Anns Grove carried the parcel bomb on a bicycle
and went into the book shop at Freedom, Robb St., met some people in the
book shop and I took down some books and looked at them. I had the parcel
bomb with me and I put it on the counter in the book shop. I bought a
book for 5¢ and paid a woman there with $1:- note. I went away with the
book and my change I rode away to Camp St., and when I was opposite Congress
Place the bomb go off". I hereby
certify that this statement was taken by me between 3.45 p.m. and 4.22
p.m. on the 10/8/64, in the presence of Sgt. 5136 Simple. I read it over
to Emanuel Fairbairn in the presence of Sgt. Simple. Emanuel Fairbairn
also read it. He was told by me that he could correct, alter or add anything
he wished. He made alternations, said it was true and correct and signed
his man to it in our presence. ARTICLES
FOUND AT THE HOME OF EMANUEL FAIRBAIN AT 192 CHARLOTTE & WELLINGTON
STS., ON 8/8/64 AT 4.55 a.m. 1 parcel
containing 189 .22 bullets |
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