Fight over ‘Mano Benjamin’s land’

In fact, residents confirmed that the ‘preacher’ conducted a ‘religious service’ a few months ago on the compound located at Erin Road, Cap-de- Ville, on the outskirts of Point Fortin. It lasted for about 30 minutes and there were scripture readings and singing of hymns, a resident said.

Residents explained that the plot of land was used as a military installation / barracks with cadastral maps showing the plot as being labelled “State lands”.

However, the status of the lands was called into question when several people began enquiring about the lands, some even claiming to possess “legal documents” as it related to its ownership.

Officers of the South Western Division confirmed that there were several reports of “disputes” over crops planted on the property between two men who are encroaching on State lands. They have responded to constant bickering between these two men in particular although several other persons had claimed ownership.

A police source confirmed that neither of the two men have produced any official documentation to show ownership of the land.

“One claimed that he received official documents from the Agricultural Ministry which state that he is allowed to plant crops.

He has not showed us any proof whatsoever of that. The other had a ‘vision’ from God,” a police officer noted.

“I do not know why these fellas are so interested in that particular plot of land. Maybe Mano buried gold there and we (police) don’t know,” another police officer said referring to the notorious Benjamin.

Benjamin, dubbed ‘The Beast from Biche’, sexually assaulted and enslaved two sisters whom he blinded in the 1960’s at Biche. The convicted man served 30 years in prison, following which he moved into the bunker, a World War II-era building used by American soldiers, in Cap-de-Ville.

He died in February 1998.

Prior to his death, no one overtly claimed ownership for the bunker and its accompanying plot.

Shortly after Benjamin’s death, thieves made off with several parts of the bunker, including windows and purlin, believed to have been sold as scrap iron.