Gya: Luncheon must be out to lunch

Has the government of Guyana heard of Caesar or his wife? The government, in the interests of clearing the name of the Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Ronald Gajraj, ought to launch an investigation to determine whether there is any fact behind the rumors of Gajraj's involvement with "death squads." If the situation is such that both the Canadian and U.S. governments have either rescinded or refused to grant visas to Guyana's Minister of Home Affairs, then it is imperative that the government be proactive in determining the truth of the allegations. Furthermore, why isn't Gajraj himself denouncing his accusers and demanding an investigation?

The administration’s position on the allegations being made against Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Ronald Gajraj is pretty straightforward. It all deals with procedures’.- Dr. Roger Luncheon

HEAD of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS) and Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon has told Guyanese living in Canada that no formal complaints have been lodged against Home Affairs Minister, Mr. Ronald Gajraj with regard to `Phantom Squad’ allegations levelled against the Minister by a self-confessed informant of the squad, Mr. George Bacchus.

“The administration’s position on the allegations being made against Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Ronald Gajraj is pretty straightforward. It all deals with procedures,” Dr. Luncheon told the overseas-based Guyanese at the Ramana Hotel in Toronto Thursday evening. Luncheon heads a three-member delegation now on a visit to Canada. Minister of Labour, Human Services and Social Security Dr. Dale Bisnauth and Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Ms. Gail Teixeira, are the other members of the team which will also visit the United States of America on an outreach programme.

“What we have encountered over the last few weeks is pretty tenuous media and political allegations around the issue of the ministerial involvement with the `death squad’,” Dr. Luncheon said.

He pointed out that specific complaints have not been brought formally to the attention of the administration. Government is calling for persons with specific information and facts to come forward and provide these to the Police Force so that the necessary steps can be taken to deal with the allegations.