THE end of the elections, as recent as 2001, brought the start of violence. Many buildings were burned down in ‘mystery fires’. A typical example occurred on March 21 when the home of Ms. Devika Persaud on Peter Street, Annandale, was burnt down, leaving her and her two daughters, Nazir, 7, and Nazeela, 11, homeless at the time.
Many politicos contend that given Guyana’s history and the cultural underpinnings, maintaining peace is a fragile balance that must be protected at all costs.