STABROEK NEWS on Monday, March 2, 2015, carried an article under the name “PNCR should not accept blame for Rodney’s death”. APNU leader David Granger said that he did not see or hear of any evidence indicating that the People’s National Congress was involved in Dr Rodney’s death.
Firstly, I would like to state that at the time of Dr Walter Rodney’s death, the PNC was the party governing the country and it was by all means their duty in the national interest to do a full investigation on this iconic freedom fighter. They owed him that much.
Secondly, Fr Darke was beaten and stabbed by thugs from the House of Israel. The House of Israel expressed its loyalty to the PNC and its members were involved in numerous violent acts against political opponents of the regime. Their actions included the violent breaking up of opposition public meetings, attacking anti-government demonstrations, and working as strike-breakers whenever government workers went on strike for improved wages and better working conditions. During the time of the stabbing, Fr Darke and many other supporters of the WPA were protesting against Dr Walter Rodney’s and a few other arrests.
Thirdly, Bholanauth Permanand and Jagan Ramessar were shot by armed agents of the PNC dictatorship at No. 63 Village, Corentyne during the 1973 Elections. A physical manifestation of the PNC’s heinous intention to terrorise the population was unleashed in the form of thugs, police and the Army. With all their guns, they descended on the Corentyne with the clear intention to take full control of the ballot boxes and remove the representatives of the other three political parties from the polling station. Had the PNC been certain of the fact that they could have governed Guyana to a brighter future, they would not have needed to resort to such an undemocratic tactic. At that time, the PNC was in power whilst David Granger (Brigadier) was a senior army officer.
Lastly, if PNC is not to be blamed, then why are they so much against the Rodney Commission of Inquiry (COI)?
I strongly suggest that if they are as innocent as they claim, then let them take the stand at the COI, and defend themselves. Maybe, Granger would like us to believe that the two above stated criminal acts never happened occur; and that the PNC, from whose belly he came, was not responsible.

TERI PHANG