May 12,2021
…says it will not be intimidated by acts of aggression, Company must adhere to Court ruling
Demerara Contractors and Engineers Limited (DCEL), a subsidiary of Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), is demanding that Pritipaul Singh Investments Inc. end its illegal occupation of DCEL waterfront land at Providence in keeping with the ruling of the Court.
In a press release on Tuesday, DCEL accused Pritipaul Singh Investments of armed aggression even as a video surfaced on social media showing tension at the location in question. According to DCEL, on October 26, 2020, the High Court ordered that Pritipaul Singh Investments give up possession of the property owned by DCEL by November 30, 2021.
The Court also issued an injunction restraining Pritipaul Singh Investments, their directors, officers, servants and or agents from entering upon the said property or any part or portion thereof after November 30, 2020.
However, according to DCEL, Pritipaul Singh Investments has continued its occupation, keeping materials and equipment on the property with several heavy-duty equipment used to block DCEL access to the property on several occasions.
Coupled with this, DCEL stated that on April 22, 2021, its employees made a report at the Providence Police Station that an excavator, belonging to Pritipaul Singh Investments, was blocking a bridge to the property.
Later that day, the police advised that they would visit Pritipaul Singh Investments with the Court Order and would request the removal of the excavator. The excavator remained in place and a follow-up report was made to the Commander of Police Division 4B.
Again, on May 1, 2021, it is alleged that Pritipaul Singh was engaged on the property by DCEL security staff who advised that he was trespassing. Pritipaul Singh then reportedly told the security that the matter is a court matter.
A Marshall of the Court removed the excavator on May 3, but the illegal occupation and obstruction continue, the release stated.
On May 11, 2021, it is alleged that Pritipaul Singh Investments took more “aggressive action” when its employees, at least one with a firearm, ripped down one of the DCEL fences as workers were involved with DCEL activities on the property.’
“This aggression is reckless and dangerous and a legitimate threat to the lives of DCEL employees carrying out their responsibilities in keeping with the law. This lawlessness should not and will not be tolerated. The illegal occupation and continued obstruction by Pritipaul Singh Investments have delayed the commencement of extensive works for the development of DCEL’s waterfront facilities at Providence,” the Company stated.
It added that as DCEL intensifies efforts to build out its capacity and to expand the services offered by the DDL Group of Companies, DCEL expects that Prittipaul Singh Investments Inc. will honour the Order of Court.
DCEL stated that it will not be intimidated by those who seek to disregard the law and resort to threats of the use of force to further their baseless objectives in contravention of rulings by a competent Court of Law.