PARAMARIBO – The boat owners who take passengers across the river to neighboring Guyana on the backtrack route recently condemned the fact that the police fired at one of their colleagues. Meanwhile the boat owner who was arrested for having 22 bags of sugar in his possession opted for an out-of-court settlement and paid a fine of SRD 200,000. Boat Owner Dewinanan Baidjoe told Times of Suriname that there is no evidence to prove that the sugar would be smuggled abroad. He also condemned the police for firing at his colleague. The police claimed that only warning shots were fired. “But shots were fired at the engine while somebody was sitting in the boat,” said Baidjoe. One of the crew members was shot in the chest when the policemen opened fire. The engine also has several bullet holes. Baidjoe made it clear that “this is a serious matter.” “The boat owners will not remain silent regarding this matter.” The boat owners claim that it is no secret that the policemen sometimes wants a bribe and when they do not get it, they take revenge and become trigger happy. The boat owners made it clear that their colleague who was transporting sugar was busy pumping water out of his boat because there was a leak. They are disappointed in the fact that the justice officials take the word of the policemen over theirs. The boat owner who was shot is no longer in critical condition. The boat owners have pressed charges at internal affairs and expect a thorough and independent investigation…[+]