Agricola mayhem a threat to national security

–govt says it holds AFC particularly responsible

Government on Monday accused the opposition political parties, in particular the Alliance For Change (AFC), for provoking mayhem in Agricola, East Bank Demerara on October 11.
“The government views these events to be directly attributable to instigations, urgings, and actions of the Alliance For Change and the APNU (A Partnership for National Unity). We hold the AFC, in particular, responsible and accountable for the disturbances,” Prime Minister Samuel Hinds said in a statement in the House. “… this cannot be viewed as anything but a threat to national security and the peace and public order in our country.”
Hinds said the incidents have led to the disruption of the peace and has caused injury to the people. He noted that the government believes that the unrest was plotted and led by the opposition forces in “attempts to destabilise our country with callous disregard for the welfare and security of our people”.
He added that the government was astonished and horrified by the ultimatum issued to President Donald Ramotar by the AFC’s chairman, Nigel Hughes. He said the ultimatum sought to have the president dismiss Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee within 48 hours or else a call for mass protests would be made. Hinds quoted Hughes as saying “at the expiration of that time, it is our hope that civil society will take their own action”, while alluding to the fact that AFC had indicated that it would be engaged in “a range of measures” if its demands were not met.
Horrendous events
“… we take this opportunity to restate in this House that the events created the environment, which led to the horrendous events of October 11, the day after the expiry of the ultimatum,” Hinds stated.
“The events of October 11 were characterised by the setting of fires, blocking off of the East Bank Demerara highway, attacking of police officers, preventing the fire service from operating, assaulting and robbing innocent citizens, destroying of public and private property, and serious disruption of the lives of citizens,” Hinds added.
He also noted that as a result of the mayhem in Agricola, Guyana was “temporarily” shut off from the world, since several flights out of the country had to be cancelled. He said following the ultimatum, Hughes, in a statement, said he is “not calling for peace”, but wants equal rights and justice. The prime minister said the AFC chairman stated that the party does not care how it gets justice.
APNU not
involved – Granger
However, the Leader of the Opposition, David Granger denied the APNU’s involvement in the protests at Agricola. He explained that the party had planned one week of demonstrations which went peacefully. AFC leader Khemraj Ramjattan also denied their involvement since he said that they were promoting harmonious relationships.
Only last week, the Guyana Police Force issued a stern warning to lawless protesters at Agricola to desist or face the consequences.
Police said it respects the rights of all citizens to protest peacefully on issues of concern to them and the force has no objection to persons conducting peaceful protests.
“However when protests degenerate into a series of unlawful acts infringing on the rights of other citizens and putting the protection of life and the safeguarding of property at risk, the police force will, as a consequence, have to take the appropriate action in response,” the statement said.
According to the police force, it has so far demonstrated a high level of restraint in dealing with protesters at Agricola on the East Bank of Demerara.
A large number of persons who claimed to be protesting following the death of Shaquille Grant, who was fatally shot during a police operation on September 11, in Agricola, had blocked both carriageways of the East Bank Demerara roadway with the use of burning tyres and other debris, bringing traffic to a standstill and leaving thousands of commuters, including the elderly and schoolchildren, stranded for several hours.
In addition, criminal elements seized the opportunity presented and proceeded to rob and beat persons who had sought alternative routes through the village.
The unruly protesters, some of whom were armed with cutlasses and pieces of wood, continually threw incendiary devices, bricks, bottles, and other missiles at the police ranks engaged in maintaining law and order, resulting in many of them being hit. One rank, Corporal Kwesi Lawrence of the Tactical Services Unit, sustained burns to both thighs and an injury to his left eye.
The police said they were forced to resort to the use of rubber bullets and tear smoke to eventually bring the situation under control and allow traffic to flow.
Persons again attempted to block the East Bank of Demerara thoroughfare with fiery obstacles on the afternoon of Monday, October 15. However, this was prevented by alert police ranks who quickly removed them from the roadway. Police ranks were again besieged by bricks, bottles, and other objects and also endured taunts and verbal abuse.