Philipsburg: --- Several hundreds of business people from both sides of the community turned out this morning (Friday) to march against the killing of French and Dutch businessman Haresh Daylal Dayalani aka Danny. Dayalani was brutally murdered at his Cole Bay home on Tuesday evening sending the entire community into a shock.The crowd gathered in front of the COM shortly before the 10 am. Prior to starting the march President of the COM Frantz Gumbs met with representatives from both sides business community before addressing the gathering.
Gumbs said when such a crime is perpetrated on one side of the island the entire island suffers, and when such an honorable merchant such as Danny is killed, the entire population is affected.
The president said when the mourning period passes the questions that still has to be answered is what would the COM and police do about crime, or what would the gendarmes and other security forces do and how would the judicial forces better condemn these criminals. He said the COM takes its share as far as competence and prevention is concerned. He said there would be more patrols and street lighting throughout Marigot.
Gumbs said the COM already took measures to control some of the social issues and delinquencies affecting the island.
He said in spite of the efforts taken by the COM the businessman was still assassinated, which shows that more must be done however, it must be clear that the criminals act faster than the elected or law enforcement and time is definitely working against them. Gumbs said they plan to start a vocational training in September, which would eliminate at least 200 idle persons from the streets. The COM he said intends to install a video surveillance system by December 2009.
The COM president said he is sure both side authorities would do whatever is necessary to combat crime and he is willing to do his share in a coordinated effort. He said he is convinced that the fight against crime and insecurity must become a concern for each citizen and the necessary precautions must be taken. The president also urged the community to call the gendarmes or police and provide the necessary information so that they can work efficiently to fight against crime. For those who are in fear of coming forward because of revenge can do so in an anonymous way.
In addition, expressing concern is president of the MOCSAM Julien Gumbs who said even though he has called on the community and elected officials to do more with the youths and to try to prevent crime nothing he said has been done so far.
Gumbs said it is a shame to see that it had to take the life of Dayalani before the business community and the nation to come together to fight insecurity and crime.
Gumbs said he believed if this action was taken before Danny might still be alive today. He also condemned the business community for the way they acted in the past. He said on many occasions he approached them to close their doors to protest against injustice and crime and the business people would ask him if he was willing to cover their expenses. The MOCSAM president said he wants to know who would be covering the expenses of the businesses for the two days they have closed. 
Gumbs said its time that people realize that the issues facing St. Maarten is not that of locals, Indians, Chinese or European instead it is all about the community and everyone must join their forces together if they are to fight crime and injustice.
After the speech, the marchers walked through the streets of Marigot silently. The brother of the slain businessman Lalit Dayalani holding his brother's photograph while two other family members carried the floral wreath which was laid in front of Dayalani's store. Lalit in a short speech to the crowd that gathered in front of the store said that he hoped that the people of St. Maarten would come together to fight against all crime and injustice so that no other family would have to loose their precious gem like they did. At that location, a minute of silence was held in memory of the late Dayalani and well-known businessman on the French side of the island.
Among the marchers were first vice president Daniel Gibbs who is also in charge of economic affairs, leader of the RRR Alain Richardson and territorial councilor Guillaume Arnell.
The marchers then continued the march through the streets of Marigot and back to the COM where the IMA and Merchants association thanked those who came out in support of the march.
At the COM, some of the relatives of the slain businessman expressed their emotions by asking what is going to be done about crime and where are we going from here. However, a heavy down pour of rain stopped the emotions from flowing, as the protesters had to look for cover. So far relatives of the late Dayalani and the IMA on Ducth St. Maarten has offered a $5000,00 reward for infomation that would lead to the capture of the culprits who assasinated the well known businessman.
Dayalani's Legal Battle.
Haresh Dayalal Dayalani aka Danny was a well-known, smiling businessman who has always been friendly. He was one of those persons who would go the extra mile to meet his client's needs. Sometimes, Danny would make sure he satisfied his clients even when they did not have all the monies to buy what they needed.
However, outside of that, the businessman had his share of legal problems, almost two years ago, labor inspectors raided Dayalani's business place and they found several persons working for him illegally. The businessman had several Indians and other persons working in his stores and he never registered or declared them according to French laws. The French administration started a court case against the businessman who had to make sure he presents himself at least twice a week to the Police aux Frontiers since he was on judicial control. So far, the case against the late Haresh Dayalani has not been heard.
According to police and the prosecutor's office, the killing of Haresh Dayalani in their opinion is that of a robbery that went bad. Chief Prosecutor Taco Stein said they are still in the early stages of the investigation. He said so far the indication they have is that Dayalani was killed because an armed robbery went bad. Stein said the autopsy is yet to be conducted and they do not have information that would lead otherwise. The island chief prosecutor said they are not at liberty to release any other information on the investigation.
