THE Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) condemns the recent calls by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and its affiliate organisations for a boycott of numerous business entities in Guyana. The IAC has noted that the vast majority of the businesses identified for boycott through APNU’s calls, are owned or operated by Guyanese of Indian descent. This can only be interpreted as an extremely dangerous attempt to promote racial discord among the populace.

The IAC views such calls by a political party that contested the recent elections, with the expectations of becoming the government, as unpatriotic and counter productive to the stability, harmony and unity that exist among Guyanese.

Further, the IAC believes that such destructive behaviour by APNU would not only affect business owners and entities, but the staff and family of those employed at the businesses, some of whom are supporters of APNU.

The IAC, like APNU and other contesting parties at the recently held general and regional elections, is cognisant of the findings of the international and local observers that monitored the electoral process on November 28 and the count that followed. The findings were pellucid that the elections and subsequent processes were free, fair and transparent.

The IAC therefore believes that the actions taken by APNU following the elections, including the boycott, are unwarranted and aimed at sowing the seeds of discord and unrest.

The IAC urges Guyanese not to succumb to such acts of intimidation and to reject those who seek to divide. Also, the IAC urges all business owners not to be distracted by such calls and to remain steadfast in their provision of services, and calls on the authorities to ensure that the fundamental rights of those who are on the receiving end of APNU’s irresponsible call are upheld and that they are protected; and those who seek to divide and intimidate must face the full brunt of the law.
The IAC expects other wise society groups to join in the condemnation of the irresponsible behaviour shown by APNU and its affiliates.