Charlieville protests as fisherman dies

Newsday learnt that his wife Nalini Mohammed and father Fareed Mohammed were already on their way home after visiting him when he died.

Prior to his death, angry Charlieville residents, where Mohammed lived at Francis Lalla Road Extension, began to gather at the Uriah Butler Highway near Chief Brand Products to protest the shooting. When word of his death reached the residents, the gathering grew larger and louder and police from the Chaguanas Traffic Branch were called out to disperse the crowd.

At the protest Shazard’s uncle, Mustapha Ghany, called for justice to prevail, saying, “The time has reached for Shazard.” Also at the protest was Shazard’s mother, Shalima Mohammed, who reportedly fainted several times, and his widowed wife. Protesters said they all belong to a tight-knit community who felt the pain of Shazard’s death.

The protesters handed out copies of a leaflet they had produced featuring a photograph of Shazard and calling for justice and asking “Who will take care of his family? Who will right the wrong?”

Up to 7 pm, the crowd was still protesting, and police were trying to prevent a traffic pile-up. Protesters called for a speedy conclusion to the probe into the incident.

The Coastguard has said it will complete its investigation into the shooting by next week.

National Security Minister Martin Joseph reportedly said yesterday two investigations are underway, including one by Commissioner of Police Trevor Paul.

Joseph reportedly could not say when he would receive the reports.