GOVERNMENT holds strongly to the view that the Opposition is responsible for orchestrating the unrest that was recently played out at Agricola, maintaining that it did not spontaneously erupt in response to and after remarks made by Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon.

Speaking at his weekly post-Cabinet press briefing on Thursday, the HPS said that both himself and the Cabinet rejected outright the explanations offered by the Opposition for the October 11 disturbance, as they are outrageous and an insult to Guyanese, especially those who were affected.
He reminded of the ultimatum issued to President Donald Ramotar and the accompanying threat if the said ultimatum was not heeded.
He noted that the rejection of the ultimatum could not have been unexpected and said that, “Guyanese, those affected and those aware of what took place have joined with their Government in rejecting these excuses, and explanations of the APNU and AFC Opposition….the Opposition- orchestrated October 11 unrest and it was one of their promised and planned consequences in the face of the expected rejection and dismissal of the ultimatum given to the President.”
The protest started at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court when one of the police officers charged in connection with the killing of Agricola youth Shaquille Grant appeared in court, and subsequently moved to the East Bank Demerara, where it quickly escalated.
It resulted in thousands of commuters, including schoolchildren, seeking travel to destinations beyond Agricola, stalled for more than five hours. Many were even robbed and beaten.