THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) said, yesterday, that, at no time on Wednesday, was any directive or instruction given, either verbally or in writing, by any political personality, including, Ministers of the Government, in relation to the policing of the protest demonstrations at Linden. The clarification was offered in wake of the fatal shooting in which three persons were killed and others injured during the exercise by Lindeners over the increase tariff for electricity.
The GPF said it is cognisant of rumours circulating among concerned members of the public.
A press release said the maintenance of law and order in the country is within the mandate of the GPF and its Administration, inclusive of Divisional Commanders, has been, unilaterally, dealing with all administrative and operational aspects involved in the situation at Linden.
It related: “On Thursday night, the police confirmed that three persons were fatally wounded during the protest demonstrations at Linden on Wednesday, July 18, 2012.
“Unconfirmed information, received by the police from acquaintances, indicates that the names of the deceased are Alan Wade, Selwyn Boyer and Ron Sommerset.
“Efforts are being made to have the bodies transported to Georgetown for post mortem examinations to be performed.
The GPF expressed its concern about the apparent deliberate posting on the Internet, by mischievous persons, of graphic photographs of the bodies of persons who were involved in fatal accidents and other incidents, under the pretence that they were victims of the incident at Linden yesterday.
“During Wednesday, groups of protestors blocked and set fires on the roads at several areas in Wismar, including, Half Mile, One Mile, Block 22 and Republic Drive.
“These were cleared by the Joint Services who are maintaining patrols in the community, including the Wismar/Mackenzie Bridge,” the statement reported.