The US Embassy is preparing to intervene in the investigations into the recent attack on one of its citizens outside the Carapichaima East Secondary School if the police make no progress.
The 16-year-old student was attacked and assaulted by a group of students outside the school on October 17.
Maxi taxi driver Varindra Singh, who tried to defend the boy, was also severely beaten.
Video footage of the incident was circulated on social media and showed the brutality of the attack by students from both Carapichaima East and West schools, who stamped and kicked both victims.
The mother of the teen victim, Vidya Lal, said after she reported the incident to the embassy, she got an emailed response that stated officials will step-in in two weeks based on where the police had reached with their inquiries.
Contacted on the issue yesterday, the Embassy said it is prohibited by the Privacy Act from disclosing information about US citizens. But it said the most important mission is protecting the health and safety of US citizens overseas.
It is not the first time US officials have signalled their intention to get involved in a criminal matter involving a US citizen. After the 2005 kidnapping and murder of Balram “Balo” Maharaj, a US citizen and war veteran, the US intervened and sought the extradition of the accused, who have served jail time in the United States.
Meanwhile, Acting Senior Superintendent Michael Pierre told Guardian Media yesterday that due to the severity of Singh’s injuries, they were unable to get a full statement from him. The teen gave his statement on Wednesday at the Freeport Police Station. Pierre said as soon as Singh’s statement is completed, they will begin investigating.
“We have not made progress as quickly as expected, however, we are [making progress],” Pierre said.
Both victims are at home recovering after they were hospitalised with injuries to their ribs, faces and jaws.
“My son would have been dead because my son is 16 years and he’s (Singh) an adult and the way how they beat him, it would have been my child... so, he blocked from all the licks for my child and right now he is suffering badly,” Lal said at a press conference held by the Concerned Parents’ Movement last week.
Singh, who may not be able to ply his trade for the next six months, has another hospital appointment soon.
Cumuto/Manzanilla MP Dr Rai Ragbir has taken responsibility for the medical care of Lal’s son. She said her son underwent a computerised tomography (CT) Scan and electrocardiogram (ECG).
She’s currently looking for a transfer for her son, whom she said will not return to Carapichaima West Secondary School.
“I want justice for my son,” Lal said.
Last week, Minister of Education Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly said efforts will be made to support the positive development of all students. However, those who resist and continue to disrupt the school environment will be removed in the best interest of all students and school personnel.