President engages key stakeholders in talks over unrest in Linden PDF Print E-mail
Thursday, 19 July 2012 21:39
ONE day after a clash between police and protestors in Linden left three dead and several public and private buildings razed, President Donald Ramotar and a team of government officials engaged Opposition political party members and key stakeholders at the national and regional levels in talks.
Concerns about the security situation in Linden were shared and the pledge of the administration to have a full investigation was reiterated after what started off as a peaceful protest against government’s decision increase electricity tariffs in Linden, turned ugly.
Among the key stakeholders whom the President met were the executive of the Regional Chamber of Commerce in Region Ten, the Leader of the Opposition and his delegation from A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), along with the Speaker and his delegation from the Alliance for Change (AFC), Chairman of the Regional Democratic Council, Sharma Solomon, and Geographic Member of Parliament of Region Ten, Vanessa Kissoon.
A specially-convened meeting of Cabinet yesterday also sought to provide an update on the recent developments in Linden which many hope would calm, and order restored in the mining town.
Wednesday’s protest action moved from its vantage point at the Wismar Community Centre Ground early in the morning, to the Wismar/Mackenzie Bridge, where derelict vehicles and logs were hauled and tents erected, obstructing motor vehicles from crossing.
Police reported that bottles, bricks and other missiles were hurled at the ranks of the police riot unit, despite pleas by the police to desist from breaking the law, prompting the Officer-in-Charge of the unit to read the warning proclamation to them after a final appeal for calm.
Ranks advanced with tear smoke grenades in the direction of protestors in a further effort to remove the protestors, but while some dispersed, a large number remained on the bridge and began setting fires on the infrastructure.
The Washer Pond Road, Mackenzie was blocked and the Guyana Revenue Authority building located in the vicinity was set alight. Efforts by the Guyana Fire Service to quell the blaze were obstructed when protestors began hurling missiles in their direction, according to the authorities.
There were reports that roving groups of protestors set fire to a truck transporting fuel at Wismar and along the roadway at Half Mile and One Mile, Wismar. An excavator was also damaged.
The government in a statement last Wednesday said it sincerely regrets the loss of lives and injuries as events took an unfortunate turn for the worse but, reiterated that the gradual increase in tariffs for Linden did not warrant such violent behaviour.
“The government reaffirms the right of people to peaceful protest and one that is protected in our country; however, disorder and mayhem which threaten life and property cannot be tolerated,” the statement said.
Last Updated on Thursday, 19 July 2012 22:07
 
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