Those who misguidedly attacked the Chronicle editorial 

– conveniently ignore these facts

(Continued)
OLD Kai believes that those who are now condemning a Chronicle editorial for pointing out the historical facts where elements in the Opposition have been encouraging youths, either directly or indirectly into a life of criminality, need to read what some of their very own had to say about what occurred in the community of Buxton during the crime wave.

I vividly recall one media report during that time, where a resident of a neighbouring village was riding through the community along the railway embankment when he was robbed. The man was still in a state of bewilderment when he explained that several of those in the group that accosted him appeared less than 12 years old, some of whom were in possession of firearms.

Some of these children would be in their early 20’s today and I wonder how they are fearing as no doubt their future was taken away from them, by men with sinister agendas who wanted to turn them into child soldiers.

It is no secret that a majority of villagers in Buxton were made prisoners in their own community by the criminals and their political handlers. Those who decided to speak out were wiped out…How can certain Opposition leaders and their minions so quickly want to forget this period and pretend that it never existed?

It is no secret that a majority of villagers in Buxton were made prisoners in their own community by the criminals and their political handlers. Those who decided to speak out were wiped out; I can recall the gruesome fate of the Chester family among others.

How can certain Opposition leaders and their minions so quickly want to forget this period and pretend that it never existed? What about those youths, who were indoctrinated into a life of crime simply to advance the agenda of others, after which they were quickly abandoned so as to sever any link and prevent any possible exposure?

There has been much controversy over the infamous telephone conversation between a former Police Commissioner and a senior official of the PNC/R, who are both parliamentary colleagues today. But there is a statement attributed to the PNC/R official in that highly publicised conversation that has been largely overlooked by all and which I think sums up how the Opposition treats with its supporters, particularly youths.

Asked by the Police official why his party members have not gone into the community of Agricola after a bloody massacre, as it was one of their support base, the response was, “Well, I suppose when deh need them men, nobody ain’t running out (pause) you know how it go…and…”

I will leave it up to the readership and particularly Opposition supporters to determine what was meant by such a statement.

There is another incident, this time in the community of Linden during the lead up to the 2011 General and Regional elections.

It related to a split in the PNC/R’s youth movement in the region, with former member and youth leader Denton Osborne launching a breakaway party to contest for the regional constituency.

David Granger was asked for his thoughts on the breakaway faction at the time, during which he admitted that his party did not do as well in 2006 as it traditionally did in the region and that both the AFC and the PPP/C had a good showing.

He was specifically quoted as saying, “We are confident that the people who voted for those parties would return because of the work we have been doing…we are confident that we have corrected some of the damage that was done.”

We all know what kind of work they did to wrestle back the votes they lost, the fliers which openly sought to create disunity and tension among all our people are testimony of their efforts.

In hindsight, it appears, the former PNC/R member, Denton Osborne had seen something most Opposition supporters did not, that is until today when there is great tension among the PNC/R=APNU and the people of Linden.

Granger, in referring to Osborne, admitted that he had a reputation of working with youths and “we would welcome him in the coalition.” However, a Stabroek News report on Osborne at the time had reported that he brushed aside being part of any coalition as he had indicated that the formation of the APNU was one of the reasons that he finally decided to call it quits with the PNC/R.

Osborne may feel that he has been vindicated three years later based on the way the region’s MP Vanessa Kissoon has been treated by Mr. Granger and other leaders of the party.

What this all sums up is that there is no intention of taking youths seriously by the Opposition, as they are apparently only seen as convenient pawns in a dangerous game. No consideration is given toward ensuring they are exposed to whatever positive opportunities are available. Again I repeat, if the Opposition was concerned about the welfare of youths, it would have never cut funding for several PPP/C initiatives in the budget which directly targets this demographic.

When PYO youths had picketed against the Opposition efforts to strangle the Amaila Falls hydro project, they were ridiculed by the APNU and there were instances when at least two members of Mr. Granger’s personal security detail had confronted some of the youths in an effort to intimidate them.

When youths from the hinterland earlier this year picketed against the Opposition budget cuts, a gang of APNU supporters were sent out to intimidate and abuse these young people who were simply exercising their democratic right.

Therefore, on one hand, the Opposition particularly APNU, is attacking youths of all races and ethnicities who are pushing for positive initiatives; however, on the other hand, they quite conveniently develop amnesia, find a reason to justify or absolve itself of any blame by shifting it to others in instances such as the Agricola unrest. In a letter to the media on October 23, 2012, APNU’s spokesperson Mark Archer, in responding to reports of violence, banditry and assaults, noted the “PPP’s record of inserting known thugs and criminals into otherwise justifiable demonstrations to discredit those demonstrations.” He had also called on the public to be alert to “the divisive and destructive tactics of the desperate PPP Ramotar administration.”

So now the violent actions of these youths were being blamed on the PPP, again they were readily abandoned by the PNC/R = APNU after videos of the attacks began to emerge and as expected, the captain and crew jumped ship before everyone else.

But it does not end there, as there is a twist to this story which was recently revealed with the unfortunate death of Agricola youth, Kevin Fields, during a robbery gone wrong. Upon perusing his Facebook page, Old Kai came across two images he had posted of the Agricola unrest, with what appeared to be himself and then another individual who joins him, lying on the public road as the debris burned behind them posing for photographs.

Later on, as pointed out in another article, I came across two images of Fields with Opposition leader David Granger at the funeral of one of Fields’ friends. This was quickly deleted from Mr. Granger’s Facebook to which Fields was tagged from but not before Old Kai had saved the image. Fields’ Facebook page which also had a separate image of the two which he had posted personally has apparently been taken down as well.

I am not saying there is a link but the actions of the Opposition to remove all trace of association with this youth, raises a great degree of suspicion. This reality is what needs to be taken into context by those critics of the Chronicle editorial, and rather than attacking this newspaper, they should be seeking to pressure the Opposition leader to heed my suggestion of publicly encouraging those youths, who are so inclined, to put down their guns and secure their future through honest means. At the same time, they should call upon the entire Opposition to abandon their efforts to stymie through their budget cuts, the many projects by the PPP/C Government which are intended to empower our youths across the nation.

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