Commissioner assures of no cover up in alleged Police Beating

 

By Tracey Khan – Drakes

[www.inewsguyana.com] – Commissioner of Police (ag) Seelall Persaud today (December, 01) met with family members including the wife of the Asif Rahim following a protest in front of his office at Eve Leary and assured them that justice will be served.

Rahim was allegedly beaten by police officers attached to the Leonora Police Station on Saturday November 22 and subsequently died at his home on November 27.

A Post Mortem Examination (PME) performed on the body of the 37 – year – old fisherman of Ocean View, Meten – Meer – Zorg, West Coast Demerara found that he died from multiple injuries to the body.

Rahim’s wife Sursattie Chandrapaul expressed satisfaction thus far at the Commissioner’s promises to ensure that the matter is handled professionally to ensure that the matter is not covered up.

The Commissioner reportedly told the family whom he called into his office for a meeting that the file with the police reports will be sent to the Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) soon.

Recommendations will then be made by the Chairman of the PCA who will then forward the file to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

“I highly appreciate that the Commissioner call us in and he said that there will be nothing that will be covered up and I am so happy for that, because I want justice for my husband because I am a widow now with four children and I don’t know how I will make life out.”

Meanwhile, Rahim’s four children were out on the picket line protesting for justice. The man’s eldest daughter, 19 – year – old Shaneeza Khatoon told Reporters that they will wait and see if the Commissioner will act on his promise and then decide whether they will continue protesting.

The Protest was organized by Social Activist, Mark Benchschop who said that the Commissioner expressed “serious concerns at these sorts of allegations leveled against police officers who ought to be protecting and serving and he promised the family that there will be no stone left unturned.”

The PME, which was performed this morning (Monday, December 01), found that Rahim’s jaw was broken and there was a rupture in his throat. The PME also revealed that the father of four received severe injuries to his chest which resulted in massive blood clot in his body.

Initially, the Police Force had alleged that Rahim was beaten by another prisoner while in custody at the station, however, two ranks are reportedly under close arrest as prior to his death, Rahim had informed his wife and relatives that he was beaten by the Police, whom he could have identified.

Rahim was the sole breadwinner of the family. The man leaves to mourn his wife, three daughters [age 19, 17 and 9) and a 14 – year – old son.