…days after Chinese ambassador raised concerns with Govt
Days after China’s Ambassador to Guyana, Cui Jianchun raised concerns with Government over the increased number of Chinese businesses being robbed in Guyana, another Chinese business has been robbed.
Reports are the Wang Wang Supermarket at Belle West in Canal Number Two Polder, West Bank Demerara, was stormed by armed men on Tuesday evening who shot the owner in the process.
When Guyana Times International went to the supermarket, neighbours confirmed that the robbery occurred just after 08:00h on Tuesday. Reports are the man arrived in the area in a black car and stopped a few houses away from the only bridge that leads out of the housing scheme.
According to residents, after the car was seen, a few minutes later, shots were heard and the Wales Police Station was called but no one answered.
“When they start shooting, I hear like it sound about three times and then we tell everybody to close up (the shop which they operated),” one neighbour said.
The owner was shot in his left leg and another bullet grazed one of his hands while the gunmen escaped with an undisclosed sum of cash. He was taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he is said to be in a stable condition.
Close associates of the business indicated that the day’s sale was taken along with other undisclosed items. CCTV footage from several cameras also captured the entire incident and has since been handed over to Police. This newspaper was told that several spent shells were recovered at the scene.
“The Police come and I see like they inspect the area and collect the shells… We didn’t see is who cause it happen fast,” the associate said.
On Wednesday, the business, which is located a few miles from the public road was opened.
The robbery comes mere days after concerns about robberies on Chinese businesses were raised by Ambassador Cui Jianchun when he met with Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan.
Minister Ramjattan assured the ambassador that Chinese businesses were not being targeted and clearly indicated that this was a misconception.
These concerns were also dismissed by Top Cop Leslie James who assured that crime statistics and the motives of those caught do not suggest such profiling.
As such, the Ambassador insisted that a meeting with the Chinese business community should be held as early as possible so that a number of concerns and questions can be directly answered.
An investigation into the matter is ongoing.
