REGION 10 Chairman, Sharma Solomon on Thursday told a news conference that he takes no personal responsibility for the sad state of affairs in Linden during July 2012 which saw organised protests getting out of hand.
The position of the chairman came even as the country saw a halt in the economic activities to several hinterland regions due to the events which were

ongoing in the gateway (Linden) to those communities.
The period also saw the destruction of state and private properties by protesters as well as the shooting to death of three protesters during clashes with the armed forces.
According to Solomon, he does not believe that the organisers of the protest take any personal responsibility for the unfortunate events which occurred during the troubled period in the region in 2012.
Solomon was adamant that during the protest in the region and shutting down of the town prior to the protest “nothing was out of the ordinary”. He said that all of the demonstrations which were conducted by the region were in order.
He added that they organised 15 demonstrations all of which had nothing out of the ordinary as the region was getting ready for a five-day demonstration.
Solomon said that before the actual demonstration on July 18 the region was asking for engagements with the government on the electricity situation but it was only on July 19 after the death of the three Lindeners there was an engagement.
Asked about his statements of “nothing out of the ordinary” and if he saw the blocking of the bridge as infringing other people’s rights?
The Regional Chairman said that he “believed that in the cause of rights and terms of communal responsibility the region and people of Region 10 took the stand to ensure their constitutional rights were respected.”
He added that the rights spoke to the decision that had to be made on behalf of the people which must include the people. According to him, in the first place the rights of the people were transgressed and they were standing up in defence of those rights.
The press briefing was called by the region and saw Solomon and parliamentary representative of Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice) Vanessa Kissoon.
The main issue dealt with was the report of the Linden Commission of Inquiry (CoI) which was ordered by Present Donald Ramotar in July of 2012 and which was completed and handed over to him last week at the Office of the President by the Chairman of the commission.
Solomon told the media that the region and residents were disappointed at the compensation rewarded to the injured and for the lives which were lost.
The Regional Chairman said that since the report was made available to him he has met with those who were injured and the relatives of the dead to chart the way forward.
The decisions taken by the region on the way forward will be dependent on the advice of the injured and those representing the dead protesters, Solomon added.
Meanwhile, Head of the Presidential Secretariat said that the government is not likely to increase the compensation package stipulated in the CoI report for persons and properties.
Solomon told the media that the discussion on Monday with relatives and affected Lindeners also spoke to the issue of seeking legal advice and action, if necessary as it relates to the compensation offered.