Fire-victim 'family of seven' rebuilding with public's help
by Michel Outridge

Sankumar Bissessar, father of the children.

The family is rebuilding with the help of five carpenters being paid by Gafoors Limited less than a month after fire destroyed the Bissessars' house and burnt a child to death.

The carpenters were working assiduously yesterday to complete the three-bedroom wooden structure on time.

According to Sankumar Bissessar, 39, of South Le Ressouvenir Pasture, East Coast Demerara, losing his 13-year-old daughter, Geeta, and the destruction of their house were a most difficult experience for him. His wife died suddenly three years ago after a prolonged heart aliment.

"She was sick from a heart condition. She went to sleep after we chatted that night and she never woke up; she died in her sleep. When I tried to wake her up the morning she was dead," said the man.

The zinc shack the family is currently dwelling in (from left) and the house under construction, which they will soon move into.

At home alone was Geeta, who was chained to the bed as usual while her siblings were at school and her father at work.

She was often chained to the bed to prevent her from roaming the village. On many occasions she would wander off and be sexually assaulted by youths from the village who took advantage of the teen's mental condition.

Geeta was said to be mentally challenged; her remains were buried on November 1.

The man told the Guyana Chronicle that he received overwhelming support from villagers and other kind-hearted citizens after the publication of the story in the newspapers.

He wishes to thank all those who helped him and his children and is ever grateful to Gafoors Limited, which is currently shouldering the cost of the construction of the two-flat house.

He related that on many occasions people tried to take his children and his house but he always managed to support them and send them to school. After their mother died, he was tasked with being mother and father to his children.

Several lumber dealers also donated wood to the family and the Guyana Relief Council pitched in with a new double bunk bed, clothing and kitchen utensils.

Yesterday, when the Guyana Chronicle visited, the children displayed several items that were donated to them. They seemed happy but they are constantly reminded of their sister who perished in the fire.

Bissessar yesterday disclosed that he would be even happier if the Ministry of Housing & Water could allot the plot of land to him that he is dwelling on to fend off any further attacks by people to get him off the land.

GID's is wrong about Benschop's rights being trampled upon
Although the New York based GID [Guyana Institute for Democracy], originating from Congress Place, headquarters of the PNC/R, claims it was founded three years ago, its principals have been around for a much longer time and are very familiar with our history.

It is claiming, among other things, that Mark Benschop who was charged for the capital offence of treason is a journalist and is a political prisoner whose trial is being unduly delayed, and it is agitating for his release.

They will know that in Guyana's first treason trial involving Sukram and others during the PNC regime, that the preliminary inquiry never got going until two years after their arrest, whereas in Benschop's case, he was charged on the 15th July, 2002 and the preliminary inquiry into his charge started 13 days afterwards, on the 28th July, 2002.

Benschop, represented by a team of high-priced lawyers, was committed to stand trial before Judge and Jury after the Magistrate found at the conclusion of the preliminary hearing that a prima facie case had been made out against him.

At all times, it is apparent that due process of law is being followed, as indeed it must, given the competent and high-priced attorneys which he has.

It is quite wrong to claim, and as GID is trying to do, that Benschop's legal or constitutional rights are in any way being ignored or subverted or trampled upon. The GID is obviously playing politics and trying to mislead well-intentioned people who must make every effort to get the true facts before they become pawns in a PNC/R political scam.
Yours faithfully,
Sabrina Rampersaud

Constructive engagement process not in 'parlous state'
Once again the Auditor-General's Report will be laid in Parliament for scrutiny and debate by all, including/especially the Opposition, whose Member chairs the Public Accounts Committee.

Since this Government came to office in 1992, the annual Auditor-General's Reports have been presented to Parliament after being absent for ten years previously under the PNC government.

When Corbin is telling us that the constructive engagement process is in a 'parlous state' when all facts attest to the contrary, he must take time out to reflect and tell us about the 'accountability' when his party formed the government and such things were in a state of collapse.
Yours faithfully,
Samantha Williams

November 21, 2003