– urges no repeat in 2011
THE Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) has issued a statement in which it took the opportunity to remember the many victims who were brutally assaulted on January 12, 1998 during post-elections violence. “This year marks twelve years since those despicable incidents occurred in the Capital City, especially at our car parks (including the Stabroek Market area) and busy commercial centres as part of a concerted effort to inflict violence and mayhem following the 1997 General and Regional Elections,” the IAC stated.

The Committee said it empathises with the hapless and unsuspecting Indo-Guyanese who were singled out, beaten and robbed by marauding gangs of thugs who unleashed their venom and hatred at the behest of political leaders who were reluctant to accept the democratic will of the Guyanese people.

This was done in an atmosphere of incendiary political rhetoric being echoed by certain opposition political leaders calling for `slow fire’ and `mo fire’.

The unrest that followed the free and fair 1997 Elections not only resulted in innocent Indo-Guyanese being preyed upon, but instilled fear into the wider populace which also had severe economic and social fallout.

The IAC said it wishes to recognise Government’s prudence in steering Guyana towards stability and prosperity from those dark days that once threatened the civility and unity of the nation.

The IAC would also like to recognise the efforts of the Security Forces who worked diligently to restore order and who have ensured that such inhumane acts did not recur or spread to other parts of the country.

Noting that the inquiry into the violence on January 12, 1998 was pellucid in its findings, the IAC however, said it remains disturbed that many of the perpetrators and their handlers were not brought to justice.

On this note, the Committee is urging all who may have influence on others to discourage the repetition of such or similar acts especially since Elections are due this year.

The IAC also wishes to note the steps taken by the International Criminal Court (ICC) late last year in naming six Kenyan leaders, including the Deputy Prime Minister, suspected of organising violence following that country’s 2007 Elections as this should be a reminder to all that the international community no longer sits idle and allow the perpetrators of disturbances such as post-election violence to go unpunished.

This is a clear indication that such atrocities and those as seen on January 12, 1998, in Guyana, would not be tolerated in a free and civilised world.

The IAC urges all Guyanese to work assiduously to maintain the peace, harmony and national unity that prevail so that Guyana will remain stable and prosperous.

To the victims of the January 12, 1998, the IAC will continue to be ever vigilant as we contribute to a more united and tolerant society.