Police say injuries to persons were most unfortunate
THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) said yesterday that it was most unfortunate that persons were shot, though not seriously injured, and children were discomfited and inconvenienced in schools in the areas of operation on Tuesday. The GPF was reacting to reports in the media about the use of rubber bullets and teargas in response to public demonstrations.
The GPF said its intention is always to maintain law and order. However, no teargas was used on Tuesday to disperse the protestors.
The release said: “Our actions are usually in the interest of the maintenance of law and order and in support of the safety, security and well-being of all Guyanese.”
Police, on Tuesday, fired rubber bullets on A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) marchers after warning them to disperse.
According to the police, at about 09:00 hrs, a crowd of persons gathered at the Square of the Revolution, purportedly, to be part of a march organised by the Youth Coalition For Transformation, the youth arm of APNU headed by attorney-at-law James Bond.
The police reported that this group had, previously, applied for permission to use a noisy instrument at the Square of the Revolution on December 4 and 5, with timings stated.
On Tuesday, December 5, at about 14:50 hrs, they made an application for a ‘Youth March for Change’ around the city but no date or time was stated.
Police said the group, later, informed that they wanted to march on the same day, which was in breach of the statutory 48 hours notice and no permission was granted for the purpose and that was communicated to Bond.
The police report continued that persons, who gathered at the Square of the Revolution, were warned that they should disperse as no permission had been granted for any march.
Subsequently, a group of persons, headed by retired Brigadier Edward Collins, was seen formed up on Brickdam facing West and, despite being warned, about 300 marched off West along Brickdam.
“The police then engaged them and they turned South into Winter Place and then West along Hadfield Street and continued despite being warned again, and the police fired rubber bullets at them,” the statement said.
It said another section of the crowd turned North into Winter Place and several persons were arrested.
A number of persons sustained minor cuts and bruises, the police said.
The statement added that, shortly after, at about 10:55 hrs, another crowd was seen heading East along Duncan Street, headed by Collins and Bond and they
engaged the crowd and arrested Collins and Bond, who appeared to have had injuries from an earlier engagement with the police.
Police said all the arrested persons were taken to Brickdam Police Station from where those who were injured were escorted for medical treatment.
“The Guyana Police Force wishes to issue another warning that no unlawful march, procession or meeting will be tolerated and that it will deal firmly with any person or persons wishing to breach the peace and disobey the laws,” the statement ended.