President Donald Ramotar has condemned Thursday’s protest action in Agricola, describing it as “well planned and centrally directed violence against many innocent people” and blaming it on the political opposition. The protest, which started at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court when one of the police officers charged in connection with the killing of Agricola youth Shaquille Grant appeared in court, subsequently moved to the East Bank Demerara community where things turned ugly.
Media reports that utterances by Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon are what started the unrest were brushed off by President Ramotar, who in an address at the  Office of the President yesterday on the protest, alluded to comments made by opposition elements ahead of the protest.
“The opposition tried desperately to blame the government for the events. They blamed the events on Dr Luncheon’s remarks. However, it should be noted that their protest started days before and the ultimatum given by AFC’s (Alliance for Change’s) Nigel Hughes and Moses Nagamootoo had run out on Wednesday at midnight. Dr Luncheon’s statement was reported in the press long after,” President Ramotar said.
President Ramotar accused the opposition of descending to an unfortunate level at a time when the Commission of Inquiry into the Linden situation is ongoing.
“They are showing a great disrespect for procedures and for law and order. They are not waiting for the results of the work of the Commission … it is clear that they do not care about the damage their actions are doing to the image of our country,” President Ramotar said.
The protest left commuters seeking travel to destinations beyond Agricola stalled for more than five hours. Reports are that many were robbed and beaten in the vicinity of Agricola and at the Stabroek stelling, where they waited for boats to ferry them across the Demerara River to Region 3.
It was also reported that one officer sustained injuries after protestors hurled Thunder flash squibs and other missiles at the lawmen.
“Thousands of people, including children, babies and the elderly were affected, having to spend more than five hours on the roadway while this well- orchestrated violence was unleashed. Vehicles were toppled and damaged and even burnt,” President Ramotar said.
The Agricola unrest, which President Ramotar said was executed by “criminals”, bore semblances to the recent protest in Linden that ended in a violent standoff between police and protestors.
On this occasion however, there were no fatalities and in this regard President Ramotar lauded the police for their “professionalism”, “great restraint”, “firmness and resolve” even in the face of “vicious attacks.”
In his address President Ramotar issued an appeal for the nation to condemn such acts and behaviour of the political opposition. (GINA)