Army begs for forgiveness

… as Dwieve Kant Ramdass laid to rest

A Guyana Defence Force contingent, led by Chief-of-Staff, Commodore Gary Best, yesterday attended the funeral of Dweive Kant Ramdass at Bartica.
Ramdass was the victim of a brutal robbery at the hands of three ranks from the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard on Thursday.
His body was found floating in the Essequibo River on Saturday, two days after he was dumped in the vicinity of Caiman Hole.
The army chief of staff had undertaken to have the state take care of all the funeral expenses incurred during a meeting with Ramdass’ relatives last Saturday.
The GDF flew the casket bearing the remains to Bartica where it was then driven through the streets of the community and eventually to his sister’s house and thence to the Church for the funeral service.
At the funeral service, which was held at the Lighthouse Assembly of God Church and attended by hundreds of Barticians, Commodore Best asked Ramdass’ family as well as the Bartica community, to forgive the GDF for not being able to detect those among its ranks who committed the dastardly act which resulted in the young man’s demise.
He commended the family members for the strength and fortitude they drew from their faith in God.
The Chief-of-Staff said that although he had never previously met or known Ramdass, he felt the strength of the love and adoration of the young man’s family for the loved one they have lost.
The church’s Pastor encouraged the family members of the deceased, other mourners present, and the community at large, to let their faith in God be strengthened.
The funeral, a rather sombre event, was conducted in an air of piety, humility and orderliness.
A press release from the GDF stated that the Officers and Ranks of the GDF continue to mourn with the family of the late Dweive Kant Ramdass.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009