…Harmon tells PPP, condemns Laing Avenue fracas

MONTHS after he urged his supporters to chase out government ministers from their communities, PPP General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo is now appealing to the police after residents of Laing Avenue on Saturday blocked a PPP truck that was advertising their campaign launch on Sunday.

The opposition party has called for an investigation to be launched into the incident as well as another one in Sophia, Greater Georgetown on Thursday. The complaint was issued after a video went viral on several social media platforms showing a ‘Canter’ transporting PPP/C activists being prevented from going through Laing Avenue, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown. In a letter addressed to the Commissioner of Police, PPP/C Executive Member Anil Nandlall, stated that, on Thursday at 16:00hrs, the party activists were attacked while making a public announcement in relation to the party’s campaign launch held on Sunday at the Kitty Market Square.

The letter further stated that a known member of the PNC led the attack on the ‘Canter’ transporting the PPP personnel. Additionally, at the party’s launch held on Sunday Nandlall stated that, such behaviour should not be condoned and urged supporters of the PPP/C not to retaliate or indulge in such unlawful acts.
Nandlall also urged the party’s supporters to take their frustrations to the polling stations on March 2 and cast their ballots.

Meanwhile Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, condemned the behaviour of the APNU/AFC activists, “I want to condemn that immediately, this is a free country and we are building a democracy here in Guyana and everybody in this country is entitled to put up their flags and posters on lantern posts and to go out there and express their political opinions,” he stated.

Ramjattan in an invited comment with the media reassured that the Guyana Police Force is ready and fully capable for the election period.
“It is prepared and I believe there is going to be a hundred percent security all across the country and that can also be assured if the people like the people in Laing Avenue and other places do not provoke others into any incident, I believe it is going to be a trouble free election… I have asked the police to ensure that the freedom of expression and the choice of political opponents or supports not be interfered with by those who disagree with their views,” he explained.

Additionally, Director-General Joseph Harmon called on the PPP/C to be responsible in their campaign message and avoid comments of division since such can lead to violence and a vehement election campaign.

“The statements which they make on the platforms and their communities where they have their supporters will have an impact on people everywhere in this country,” the Director General stated.

Harmon further noted that, the APNU/AFC does not encourage or condone acts of violence and as such condemns the incident that occurred in Laing Avenue.

“We don’t encourage that kind of behaviour, we believe in civil campaigning and that is what we have always done. We believe that this country needs to be united and unity is our message. We’ve said it at our campaign launch and at our campaign rally, we believe that unity is where this country needs to go and not [division],” he stated.