Aishalton incident might have been a set up – Rohee

People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) General Secretary Clement Rohee said the recent Aishalton incident involving a resident and Presidential Guards might have very well been a plot by the political Opposition to turn residents against Government.

At the Party’s weekly press briefing on Tuesday, Rohee said while the PPP/C was not upset by the move purportedly made by the Opposition to prolong the issue, it had a responsibility to protect the name and reputation of President Donald Ramotar , who is also an executive member of the PPP/C.

Late last month, it was alleged that a 29-year-old male teacher, John Adams, was assaulted by two members of the Presidential Guard after he disregarded a warning to desist from heckling while the Head of State was speaking in the South Rupununi village in early December.

Rohee said that despite a pronouncement by President Ramotar about the issue, the Opposition and certain sections of the media continue to use the incident as a political football.

“It comes as no surprise that the political Opposition and Opposition media have played up and overplayed their anti-Ramotar, anti-PPP/C sentiments. Clearly, the objective is to divide and rule over our Amerindian brothers and sisters, an old and horrible but destructive colonial past”.

Ramotar, in response, had earlier explained that the young teacher was under the influence of alcohol during the incident.

He said residents of the area were outraged at Adams’ behaviour and had asked for him to be removed from the school where he served. “He was drunk and the entire community was very upset at his behaviour,” Ramotar had said in a public announcement.

Persons in some quarters had said that Adams’ behaviour was politically motivated. It was said too that the teacher was given alcohol by a member of the Opposition in the region prompting him to upset the proceedings.

No good

The PPP/C General Secretary said the alleged attempt by the Opposition to continue along this path will not be successful since the Party has already established its presence in that and other Amerindian Communities. In that regard, the Party has expressed concern over a statement emanating from the main political opposition about “a statement allegedly made by Ramotar, as one bent on sowing discord, division, and mischief among our Amerindian brothers and sisters”.

Rohee said the successes of the Amerindian People were a stark contrast to what was experienced under the People’s National Congress (PNC) Government.

He cited the parliamentary impasse evidenced by the combined Opposition cutting significant funding toward developmental projects in these Communities.

“Under the PPP/C Government, Amerindian development has advanced by leaps and bounds,” Rohee said, continuing that in every area, Guyanese can bear witness to the actions and results of Government’s developmental programmes for Amerindians.

“In education, health, village development, inclusion in policy development and implementation – the record of the PPP/C Administration is exemplary, Rohee said.

The PPP/C, he said, will continue to ensure that it stands out in this regard, affording Guyana’s first people more opportunities for growth and development.

Days after the incident last year, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) had called for an immediate investigation into the alleged assault of the schoolteacher.

According to the coalition, information was received that the 29-year-old secondary school teacher was assaulted by two members of the Presidential Guard.

It was alleged that Adams was accosted by the Presidential Guards and told to stop heckling the President while he was speaking. When Adams refused, he was slapped repeatedly by the guards and chased, reports say.

Adams reportedly sought refuge in the home of another Aishalton resident.

The coalition had called on the Commissioner of the Guyana Police Force to launch an investigation into the incident.