Residents claim police brutality

“We were put on the ground to lie down and told to give back the government gun,” said one of the residents, who refused to give his name out of fear of police victimisation. The resident said 35 villagers were beaten by officers.

The irate man said an “officer” was on the beach liming with a female companion and someone broke into his car and stole his gun, on Monday morning. This caused the police to swoop down on the area in search of the weapon and it was at this time, the resident claimed, that the officers started beating persons.

Police sources denied anyone was beaten by the officers. They confirmed that a gun was stolen from a Coast Guard officer and his car glass broken while he was taking a sea bath.

The car alarm went off and the officer realised that the gun was missing. A suspect has been held. Maracas police are continuing the investigations.