WHETHER it is Eid, Diwali, Passover, Christmas, or any major celebration, members of that religious community begin preparing for that special day long in advance.

This is what forms traditions within families, communities, and nations and link the world in collective and collaborative celebratory initiatives.

These traditions form quintessential aspects of childhood memories and interweave the years through the processes of growth and development, and no matter how poor the home, money is always found to make that day an exciting one for the little ones – even if it is a special meal.

Homes and places of worship are cleaned and decorated well in advance and the children are allowed some degree of latitude even by the strictest of parents so that they can join in the communal fun and frolic.

These are the experiences that create lasting childhood memories. These are the memories that bind people to their homeland and their families no matter in which part of the world they reside.

These are the experiences and the memories that have been denied the children of the Hindu community of Alexander Village, as well as their neighbours, for eleven long years by hooligans who descend from villages as far as the central East Coast corridor.

Alexander Village is the strongest PPP support block in Region 4 and during the reign of terror in the country, especially the city and its environs post general elections of 1996, hundreds of terrorists were bussed in to victimize the predominantly Hindu community during one of their holiest, most sacred day, and today that victimization has become an entrenched habit.

During those days the Government itself was under siege and helpless to defend their supporters from the many injustices perpetrated against them countrywide – including kidnappings, rapes, murders, destruction of their properties, and an orchestrated attempt by several media houses to destabilize the administration.

So within the perspective of blocks of businesses and homes in the city going up in flames, innocent persons attacked in broad daylight, home invasions by gangs intent on destruction and mayhem – killing children in front of parents, parents in front of children, even a paralyzed man was deliberately set on fire during the funeral of his wife, houses set on fire with the inhabitants trapped helplessly inside, the travails of the Alexander community was placed on the back burner.

That community suffered to the extent where old people and children have become severely traumatized – dreading the once eagerly-anticipated festival of Diwali, because that night has been transformed into one of terror for them, and sacrilege of all that they hold most sacred.

The group of young persons who maintain the mandir dread the destruction of their beautiful rangolis and other decorations. Alexander Village, once one of the most beautifully-decorated villages during Diwali, becomes like a ghost-town during Diwali day, with the residents hiding out within their homes, dreading the onslaught heralded by sunset – a time that should have rung with joyful lighting-up activities.

Today they reminisce over those days of peaceful enjoyment of their sacred holiday with longing.

Many residents have long stopped lighting diyas, because their diyas are trampled upon by the hordes, who do not only confine their activities to the streets, but invade private homes, kicking down diyas from verandahs to sit on rails and drink alcohol while the homeowners cower inside in terror.

They not only destroy properties, even breaking down one woman’s fence, but they pelt even children with explosive devices, causing people to flee with terrified children to relatives at various other locations. The animals become frenzied with fear, and a couple of pets were lost in the melee, because the animals bolted and probably ran so far that they could not find their way home again.

The mandir is specially targeted, with “Thunderking” firecrackers thrown at their Lord Shiva murti, while one intrepid terrorist ventured into the mandir and threw a “thunderking” into the storeroom, which at that time was housing a generator, with spare fuel and cylinders of gas, but it was Diwali night – a night of miracles, and the firecracker fizzed out and died inches from the generator.

The villagers, who spend weeks in advance beautifying their homes and surroundings, observe in helpless agony as firecrackers are thrown into the muddy gutters so that the mud spatters their newly-washed or painted fences and homes.

But even more horrifying is the fact that bar-b-cue is sold and eaten, even on the overhanging roof of the mandir, and alcohol consumed, with the lewdest and vilest of music played at the loudest decibels.

The vulgar displays of what passes for dance makes Alexander Village become one grand passa-passa venue during the most sacred of Hindu holidays in a largely Hindu community.

Even non-Hindus are severely affected, because the people in Alexander Village live with great co-operation, and everyone shares in each other’s festivities, so the carnage not only demolishes the peace and tranquility of the little community, it also takes away a special day of camaraderie and neighborliness from the residents, who are often robbed if they venture out of their homes, and if they arrive home after sunset they are forced to park their vehicles far away, often returning to find them vandalized.

The mandir cannot hold services for its members on Diwali night, and only a devout Moslem or Christian denied entry to their places of worship on their holiest days would understand the anguish this causes to the Hindu community of Alexander Village.

Last Diwali the agony of the villagers drove them to appeal to the President for protection from the ravening hordes. This he promised, and the Government seems set to deliver on this promise this year.

Assurance was given to the villagers by Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee on Monday last during a walk-through that any miscreant intent on disturbing the peace of the village and debasing the rich and sacred significance of the Hindu Festival of Light will be dealt with condignly.

Deputy Commander of “A” Division, David Ramnarine, who accompanied the Minister, said that a zero tolerance approach would be taken to protect the community from thugs hellbent on disturbing the peace in the village.

He promised police presence at key locations to prevent outsiders from infiltrating the village and desecrating their celebratory activities.

Representatives of the Mandir also met with Mr. Ramnarine at 15:00 hrs yesterday to discuss preventative mechanisms, which was followed with a meeting held at the West Ruimveldt Primary School at 17:00 hrs with the residents of Alexander Village.

At the latter meeting, Mr. M. Khan welcomed the Minister and the team of high-ranking police officers.

He stated that, while other communities are affected by lawless behaviour during religious holidays, what is tantamount to attacks on Alexander Village is pronounced and prevalent, with an escalation during the last few years.

He said that some members of the community are also culpable because they sell and use squibs.

Gerhardt Ramsaroop, member of the Vishnu Mandir, thanked the Minister for his response, and expressed his appreciation to Mr. Ramnarine for his commitment to end the Diwali woes of the villagers.

He opined that the presence of the Home Affairs Minister and so many high-ranking officers is testimony to the sincerity of their promise to make Alexander Village safe on Saturday evening.

He said the villagers are willing to work in cooperation with the police force to restore harmony in the community and that he sees this as a turning-point whereby the community can once more enjoy the tranquility of their homes on Diwali night.

Mrs. Rohini Bonar also said that the community is pleased with the response they have received from the authorities this year, because they have endured years of arrogance of outsiders who denied the villagers the right to celebrate their holiday in peace. She reiterated that the residents need assistance to ensure that the celebration of Diwali on Saturday evening is not marred by hooliganism.

The President of the Vishnu Mandir, Niranjan Sukhram, said his home nearly caught afire from explosive devices which set alight furniture in his home, necessitating the fire service to be summoned. He also spoke of the desecration of a Shiv Mandir in an old lady’s home.

79-yr-old Doris Narine spoke of destruction to her premises and the fear she endures every year, as did a number of other residents, one of whom described the ordeal of her little daughter whose dress caught afire from squibs thrown at her while she was sitting on her verandah. The chair she was sitting on was burnt beyond repairs.

One Ashok, who, like many others who grew up with happy experiences of Diwali celebrations in their village in times past and who return home from abroad for these celebrations, also expressed his disgust at the enduring fiasco the festival has become in the community.

One Jasmattie exhibited damaged portions of her roof through which holes were blown last year, and hers was not the only roof damaged. Even the mandir’s roof was not spared.

Even Moslem members of the community expressed their disgust at the inconvenience they are caused by the hooligans who do not allow them ingress and egress to and from their mosque.

The villagers say they once welcomed persons who visited the village to enjoy the spectacular beauty of the Diwali decorations and lighting-up activities, until this horrendous invasion.

Eddi Rodney said that police have issued bulletins against the sale and use of explosive items, and that the attacks by the vagabonds could be curtailed if the violators of this law are prosecuted.

Acting Commander of “A” Division said in response that he reciprocated the sentiments of the villagers and that he was happy to be present at the meeting.

He said he noted in the media the deteriorating situation and the concerns expressed by the villagers that the police were also attacked by the thugs, who were in such large numbers that they overwhelmed the police and promised that the arrangements by the Police Force would be improved, with an increase in uniformed and detective, as well as traffic ranks.

Assuring that the police would reinforce their protection substantially and strategize effectively, Mr. Ramnarine also requested the co-operation of the community, because he said that, in an attempt to curtail vehicular traffic the villagers may need to reach their homes a little early so that barricades would not impede their free movement.

He also stated that the police would deal condignly with those who attempt to sell Bar-b-Que and alcoholic beverages in proximity to the mandir.

He said the police would act very professionally, within the confines of the law, in an attempt to restore some semblance of law and order and to enable a massive reduction of lawlessness. He assured the residents that the police presence would continue for a lengthy duration during Saturday night.

Minister Rohee thanked the villagers for responding positively to the public ads and turning out in what he considers a representative body.

He spoke of the brief initial meeting on Monday with the villager during which initial views were expressed.

Applauding Mr. Ramnarine and his team for their positive commitment to ensure the successful realization of Saturday’s event in an ambience of peace and that the good order of the society is maintained, Rohee was adamant that at no time should a law-abiding citizen be disrupted from normal, peaceful activities in a tranquil atmosphere, and that the Government, through his Ministry, has to ensure that there is no disorder in the way people live; and the people of the country rely exclusively on the legally-constituted law-enforcement body, which is the police force, to implement that mandate.

The Minister warned the villagers to ensure that no member of their community is culpable of any offence, and if they are, there would be no outcry from the villagers if they are served the same way as outsiders for any offence committed during that night. The repercussions of lawlessness would be met with the full force of the law without fear or favour.

Stating that he does not wear the uniform, but that his ministry creates policies and gives directions, Minister Rohee challenged Mr. Ramnarine to make good on his promises and his commitment to ensure an incident-free Diwali celebration in Alexander Village this year.

Failing this, the Minister said that anyone found disrupting the celebrations should be charged and taken before the courts.

The Minister also called on the villagers to work in collaboration with the police in an effort to finally ensure lawlessness and hooliganism finally come to an end in Alexander Village.

In a Press Release yesterday the Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) lauded the response of the Home Affairs Minister to the concerns of the residents of Alexander Village with the promise of protection of homeowners and the integrity of the mandir to be provided by the Police Force.

Noting its historic support of the mandir, the IAC release expressed the hope that the police will act swiftly to prevent further attacks on the mandir and to ensure that peace and tranquility prevail so that devotees can perform their sacred rituals for Deepavali.

The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) has also issued a public advisory to practice religious tolerance at all times and respect the culture and beliefs of all religions.

Stating that it condemned the actions of those desecrating the Diwali celebrations by the Vishnu Mandir and residents of Alexander by outsiders, the Commission appealed for greater sensitivity and responsible behaviour by those who disrupt these festivities annually in the village.

Both organizations extend Diwali greetings to the nation.

Miner dies in pit
A 59-year-old miner was on Monday killed when the pit in which he was working at Mahdia, Potaro River caved in and covered him.

According to a police report, the incident occurred around 11:30 hrs Monday whilst Leon Clarke – a machine operator of Hopetown Village, West Coast Berbice – was operating a hymac in a forty feet deep pit when it caved in and covered him.

Police said his body is at a city mortuary awaiting post-mortem.