– police issue stern warning to protestors
The Guyana Police Force on Tuesday issued a stern warning to lawless protesters at Agricola to desist or face the consequence in the wake of Monday night’s attempt to block the public road again.
In a statement, 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 GPF, it has so far demonstrated a high level of restraint in dealing with protestors at Agricola on the East Bank of Demerara. It noted that last Thursday 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, blocked both carriageways of the East Bank Demerara roadway with the use of burning tyres, other debris and obstacles, 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. “Again, during the afternoon of Monday October 15, 2012, persons attempted to block the East Bank of Demerara thoroughfare with fiery obstacles; but this was prevented by alert police ranks who quickly removed them from the roadway. Police ranks were again besieged with bricks, bottles, and other objects being thrown at them and also endured taunts, verbal abuse, and derogatory remarks.
“Some of the missiles being thrown by the protesters damaged motor vehicles on the way through the community.
“The Guyana Police Force is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for public safety, the maintenance of law and order and the protection of life and property and remains resolute in carrying out its mandate,” the statement added.
Considerable restraint
According to the force, while “we have been showing considerable restraint, the force cannot and will not allow persons who appear to be using the pretext of protesting to cause mayhem and confusion in the society.”
Several groups and political parties have already condemned the blocking of the roadway. The fiery blockade to the main artery to the country’s main international airport last Thursday had caused severe stress to thousands of Guyanese. Several residents along the East Bank Demerara and West Demerara were forced to put up at hotels, some stayed with families and friends in Georgetown, and others who had no other alternatives were made to wait for several hours before traffic began flowing again around midnight.
In a statement Friday, the ruling People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/ C) said it “condemns in the strongest possible manner the disruptive and violent acts meted out to ordinary Guyanese by the AFC and APNU-organised protest… in the vicinity of Agricola on the East Bank of Demerara”.
According to the party, thousands of Guyanese from all walks of life had their freedom to travel impinged “by the ruthless action of the opposition, who now seem bent on a campaign of creating instability and to undermine economic and social progress in our country”.
Appeal for calm
The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) had also condemned the incident. “APNU also expresses its dismay over reports that commuters were prevented from travelling to their destinations on the East Bank and West Bank Demerara for several hours on Thursday night, because some sections of the roadway were blocked by demonstrators. “APNU appeals for calm and respect for the rights of all other citizens, even as it upholds the right of citizens to protest against police killings.”
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