Cops wanted to burn me alive

Rabindra Choon, 49, of Ackbar Trace, Old Siparia Road, is now warded at the San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH) nursing fractured ribs to the left side, a sore pelvic region and several cuts and bruises about the body, he received during the alleged police attack.

Speaking with Sunday Newsday yesterday, Choon said that he was riding his bicycle on his way home when he was confronted by four police officers, who pulled up in a marked police car.

“I just hear the men shouting to me saying ‘Wait, wait, wait’. I got scared because I thought it was bandits and I started to ride faster. At that time I noticed that the car sped off behind me and when I reached Ackbar Trace Junction, the car pulled up alongside me, with its headlights off. I noticed that it was a police car. Four police then jumped out of the vehicle and grab me from off the bike” Choon said.

Choon added that he was thrown to the ground and then kicked and cuffed about the body by the men. He added that he was also thrown into a nearby drain before they (the police) took him to the Oropouche Police Station where the beatings continued.

“This time they focused on my pelvic area. They real kick me up there. The police then soak newspapers with kerosene and push it down my pants and then doused me from head to foot with the same kerosene and threatened to light me on fire” he added.

Choon said that after he was doused with the flammable liquid he was forced to sign a paper, “I can’t read or write and I told the police but they said that they would kill me if I don’t sign the papers. I don’t know what it was about but they force me to sign something,” Choon said.

Choon claimed that the police also placed a gun in his mouth while they searched him. They allegedly relieved him of $90 and a mouth organ, which Choon uses whenever he assisted the pundit during Hindu prayer functions.

Choon said that he was then placed back into the police vehicle and driven to Ackbar Trace Junction where he was kicked out from the car onto the road.

“I was in so much pain I could hardly walk. I met my bike still lying on the road and I picked it up. I was too weak to get on the bike and ride home. I instead walked with it to the house,” Choon said.

Upon reaching home, Choon alerted his wife, Mala, who was asleep and his two children — Vicky, 23, and Ricky, 20. He was taken to the Casualty Department of the San Fernando General Hospital where he was x-rayed, treated and warded.

Choon told Sunday Newsday that he was still in shock over the incident and remained puzzled as to why he was badly beaten by the officers. He called for an immediate probe by CoP Paul into the incident.

“I can point out the officers, I don’t know their names but I want Trevor Paul to do something about this,” Choon pleaded.

When contacted yesterday police officers attached to the Oropouche Police Station denied any knowledge about the incident. However, they confirmed that Ackbar Trace was within their district.