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PRIME MINISTER Samuel Hinds yesterday said that the October 11 unrest at Agricola was the latest effort by the Alliance For Change (AFC) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) to destabilise the country, which he said exposed their callous disregard for the welfare and security of Guyanese citizens. He said that government was horrified by the ultimatum issued to President Donald Ramotar by AFC Chairman, Nigel Hughes, on October 8, calling for the dismissal of Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee, within 48 hours. Hughes further threatened to call for a mass protest if the ultimatum was not heeded.
The events of October 11 were characterised by setting fires, blocking of the East Bank highway, obstructing police ranks from carrying out their duties and attacking them, preventing the Guyana Fire Service from getting to the scene, robbing and assaulting innocent people, destroying private and public property. Airlines even cancelled flights.
“The government views these events to be directly attributable to the instigations, urgings, and actions of the AFC and APNU. We hold the AFC particularly responsible and accountable for the disturbances. This cannot be viewed as anything but a threat to national security, and the peace and public order in our country,” the Prime Minister said.
In issuing his ultimatum, Hughes said, “I’m not calling peace; I want equal rights and justice… I don’t care how we get, it but we must get it.”
This, the Prime Minister said, has led government to form the opinion that the AFC chairman did not care whether his approach was responsible or destructive.
“This party chose the less than noble method of instigating, urging and causing unrest at the expense of all who were caught in the mayhem. We condemn the attempts by the Opposition to destabilise our country as a method of getting into power. We condemn their selfish and callous disregard for the safety and welfare of our people and their readiness to sacrifice peace in an attempt to remove the PPP/C from Office,” the Prime Minister stated.
Given the gravity of the events of October 11, government moved a motion seeking leave for the House to discuss the negative impacts it had, not only on those affected, but the entire country as a whole. However, this Motion was disallowed by the Speaker, Raphael Trotman, who said that it is not a matter of urgent concern.
Nevertheless, government has resolved to return to the National Assembly with a substantive motion to address the unrest, as it will not sit idly by while the rights of innocent citizens are taken for granted by political elements.
AFC member, Moses Nagamootoo and PNC/APNU’s Leader, David Granger, have both stood up and defended their respective parties, saying that they were not responsible for planning or executing unrest in Agricola or any other village.
The fires set by protestors on the roads dislocated thousands of people, including school children, the elderly, and workers, and several persons had their vehicles damaged as protestors hurled missiles at them.(GINA)
The events of October 11 were characterised by setting fires, blocking of the East Bank highway, obstructing police ranks from carrying out their duties and attacking them, preventing the Guyana Fire Service from getting to the scene, robbing and assaulting innocent people, destroying private and public property. Airlines even cancelled flights.
“The government views these events to be directly attributable to the instigations, urgings, and actions of the AFC and APNU. We hold the AFC particularly responsible and accountable for the disturbances. This cannot be viewed as anything but a threat to national security, and the peace and public order in our country,” the Prime Minister said.
In issuing his ultimatum, Hughes said, “I’m not calling peace; I want equal rights and justice… I don’t care how we get, it but we must get it.”
This, the Prime Minister said, has led government to form the opinion that the AFC chairman did not care whether his approach was responsible or destructive.
“This party chose the less than noble method of instigating, urging and causing unrest at the expense of all who were caught in the mayhem. We condemn the attempts by the Opposition to destabilise our country as a method of getting into power. We condemn their selfish and callous disregard for the safety and welfare of our people and their readiness to sacrifice peace in an attempt to remove the PPP/C from Office,” the Prime Minister stated.
Given the gravity of the events of October 11, government moved a motion seeking leave for the House to discuss the negative impacts it had, not only on those affected, but the entire country as a whole. However, this Motion was disallowed by the Speaker, Raphael Trotman, who said that it is not a matter of urgent concern.
Nevertheless, government has resolved to return to the National Assembly with a substantive motion to address the unrest, as it will not sit idly by while the rights of innocent citizens are taken for granted by political elements.
AFC member, Moses Nagamootoo and PNC/APNU’s Leader, David Granger, have both stood up and defended their respective parties, saying that they were not responsible for planning or executing unrest in Agricola or any other village.
The fires set by protestors on the roads dislocated thousands of people, including school children, the elderly, and workers, and several persons had their vehicles damaged as protestors hurled missiles at them.(GINA)
