…recommends that Gov’t and Opposition negotiate with Lindeners to bring the situation to normalcy
A PETITION signed by 47 Toshaos and senior councillors of North Central, South Central and Deep South Rupununi , Region 9, was submitted to Parliament last evening.
Addressed to Amerindian Minister Pauline Sukhai, the petition read: “We the Toshaos and senior councillors of North Central, South Central and Deep South Rupununi, Region 9, hereby express our displeasure at the unruly protest in the mining town of Linden. We further state that we acknowledge the constitutional right of every Guyanese , including Lindeners, to peaceful protest.
“However, the Linden protest, which started peacefully, escalated to protestors blocking the only main public thoroughfare from vehicles and human traffic, particularly to and from Regions 8 and 9   which has brought immense difficulties to the people of the regions. The Amerindian leaders of Region 9 had no option but to make diversion via Rockstone, through Bartica and Parika, to attend the annual National Toshao Conference meeting at the National Conference Centre August 6-9, 2012. This has not only caused inconvenience, but brought unwelcome additional cost to the bus services of Lethem, including the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.
We, Toshaos and senior councilors, strongly condemn the criminal acts of extremist protestors, and as such, we recommend that the Opposition parties and Government negotiate in peaceful and respectful manner with the people of Linden to amicably bring the situation to normalcy.”