Combating Serious Crime starts investigation into eviction Mungra project
PARAMARIBO — Chief of Police Melvin Pinas takes the theft of mercury on the grounds of the Geyersvlijt police station, the Suriname Police Corps (KPS) reported on its website on Wednesday evening. He therefore immediately took “additional security measures” to prevent a recurrence. For example, it was decided to store some of the seized goods in the container elsewhere.
On Wednesday (today) at the Geyersvlijt police station, Pinas was “detailedly informed” by the head of the Fraud department about the theft of the mercury on the police premises. On May 29, it was discovered that fifteen barrels of mercury weighing 35.8 kilograms each – a total of 537 kilos – had been stolen from a secure container of the Fraud Department on the back grounds of the Geyersvlijt agency. The police boss oriented himself at the crime scene on Wednesday.
“The government and DNA were requested to conduct an independent investigation into the circumstances under which homes were demolished”
Mungra project clearance
The chief of police subsequently obtained information from the Geyersvlijt Police Reporting Service about the actions of his men during the evacuation and demolition work at the Mungra project in Danny’s Villa Park in Paramaribo North. The KPS reports that an investigation has been launched by a specialized unit of the Combating Serious Crime Service.
Residents of the Mungra project had a petition submitted to the National Assembly (DNA). They requested urgent investigation into the ownership rights of the land on which they have lived for more than fourteen years and for protection against further evictions and demolition work.
A foundation claimed ownership of all land on the Mungra project and, residents say, proceeded to demolish homes with heavy equipment. They were also ordered to leave their homes and yards. The residents stated to parliament that they were never heard and did not receive a bailiff’s writ or other official notification about legal proceedings.
People made it clear that they felt “intimidated, fearful and unsafe” by the presence of people on the project who were visibly carrying firearms. The government and DNA were requested to conduct an independent investigation into the ownership rights of the land and the circumstances under which homes were demolished. They also requested a temporary halt to further evictions until there is complete clarity on the legal status of the Mungra project.
