President of the Police Service Social and Welfare Association has denied that he or any member of his organisation gave the directive for the simultaneous police operations that caused griodlock traffic across the country on March 23.
Ramesar and Association Secretary Insp. Michael Seales appeared before the Joint Select Committee meeting in Parliament chaired by Independent Senator Ralph Balgobin on May 8.
Ramesar it was a coincidence that 19 police stations embarked on the same exercise on the same day.
But he was knocked by the committee’s chairman Independent Senator Ralph Balgobin for not reading the report which was submitted by investigating officer, ACP (North West) Vincel Edwards.
“I am disappointed to know that one month and a week or so after the events of that day and some weeks after the publication of a report that you have not read it. I am particularly disappointed and concerned about this given that you are here to discuss this particular report.
“So for you to appear before a Joint Select Committee and say that you have not bothered to read the report to my mind we have grave concern,” Balgobin said.
He also expressed concern that in instances where the association have made threats stemming from stalled salary negotiations it appeared as if there was a parallel organisation being established in the Police Service.
“The entire country has been invited to conclude that there is a nexus between the ongoing negotiations with the Chief Personnel Officer and the actions of Monday the 23,” Balgobin said.
He told Ramesar that his presence before the JSC meant that he has to give a clarification which must go beyond, “We have nothing to do with it.”
“Because what you are inviting me to them conclude is that this is the work of someone who is very intelligent who gives themselves enough room for plausible deniability.
“So everything is organised and orchestrated and then you stand one side to say this has nothing to do with me and so you wipe the instrument clean so forensically we cannot identify you. But for all intents and purposes the public has concluded that your association has a central role to play in this matter,” Balgobin said.
He further waded in on Ramesar saying he was “uncomfortable” with his “minimisation” on what happened.
“As citizen of this country I would take grievous, grave objection to someone in whose arms I have put a gun abusing their authority to make a point in relation to a negotiation for wages.
“That for me in democratic terms I would find utterly frightening and I think that is where the country has reached in its conclusions,” Balgobin added.
Ramesar, who said he had “never incurred the thought” that one person was responsible for the exercise, described it as an operation that failed as far as policing was concerned.
“My thoughts have not moved in terms of a blame game in the Police Service. I looked at how we do operations and in my consideration it’s about remedying the operation and making it better.
“I have never considered that there is a policeman who is maliciously obedient in carrying out his role and responsibilities,” Ramesar said.
Investigating officer, ACP (North West) Vincel Edwards, who appeared before the committee last Friday said he could not determine who specifically gave the ultimate directive for the operation.
Very strange
Head of the Strategic Services Agency (SSA) Bisnath Maharaj said he found it “very strange” that no divisional commander was aware of the total policing operation.
Maharaj who also spoke at yesterday’s JSC said it was also strange to say that all commanders lost control of their divisions.
On whether the electronic communication system had broken down on that day Maharaj said he had no reports on that.
On who gave the directive for operation Maharaj said he was unaware.
Executive director of the National Operations Centre (NOC) Garvin Heera said he was also clueless about the operation. He said on that day he too was out of the country.
When members of the Special Branch appeared before the committee ACP Earla Christopher, requested that the session be heard in camera.
The committee was then suspended for about 20 minutes.
Upon resuming Balgobin who gave a synopsis said it appeared that the Special Branch also had no knowledge of the operation.