This certificate, and others like it, were distributed some time last week to some of the villagers of Indian Creek in a ceremony. This one supposedly grants a plot of land in Indian Creek Village to an individual. However, the certificate did not originate from the Land Department and the Indian Creek Village Council calls it a "reprehensible" act by the village's alcalde.
A press release from the Village Council states they have zero involvement and that the land distribution is illegal and invalid. They also describe this as land grabbing and explain that there have been reports of land being distributed to non-Indian Creek residents, those who already possess lots, and even children as young as 10 years old.
The release ends by stating that the village council has been engaged in ongoing discussions with the landowner to properly regularize the tenure for community spaces such as the school, the community center and the cemetery. They've also been negotiating gifting additional lots to the community. They believe the unilateral actions by the alcalde undermine this dialogue.
We have also received reports that the Ya'axche Conservation Trust retained the Courtenay and Coye law firm, which sent a cease and desist order, but the land was still surveyed and purported to have been distributed.
When the Officer in Commanding Superintendent Brent Hamilton was asked about it last week Wednesday by PGTV, he explained that the police are aware of the situation, but that it is a matter that needs to be dealt with in court.
Supt. Brent Hamilton, OC, Punta Gorda
"We went out there to look at what was happening and our objective of the police was to make sure that people followed the law, followed the rules. At any given time when the police are deployed, we must know what is our priority and we don't violate anyone's constitutional rights as to whatever there may be. So yesterday as the commander, I went out there to speak to the alcalde based on - I saw them with machetes and what was their objective. They were simply doing some demarkation on some properties that they believe is for them. For me as the police it is not for me to say whether they are on private property or communal land. I am not in the position to say that but I am there to create the peace."
Reporter:
"But you're aware that Courtenay and Coye law firm sent them this letter saying that land is private land?"
Supt. Brent Hamilton, OC, Punta Gorda
"I am aware of that and I'm aware that that's why we have a court system and they must use the court system when it comes to create the desist and stop order whatever the case must be, they must challenge that through the court."
Reporter:
"So did they cease and desist from working?"
Supt. Brent Hamilton, OC, Punta Gorda
"At that time I didn't find them - I found them on the roadside and so I have spoken to the alcalde and in that light he understand what I was saying and I explained to him if he continues then down the road the law will apply so I let him also understand the police is not there to fight with no one in the community, we are not against them but they must act responsible and know that if there are title land and they know there are title lands, they must honor and respect that who has title lands, they must respect that."
You may remember back in September, the Indian Creek villagers held a press conference where they rejected their alcalde, and rebuked the entire system.
