THE location of the Enmore Martyrs monument is being transformed into a complete heritage site, according to the Manager of Freedom House and Executive Member of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Neil Kumar.
Ahead of the 74th death anniversary of the fallen heroes, the burial site was significantly transformed, but works are still ongoing to complete the project which, when complete, will create an aesthetically pleasing site for persons who would want to pay their respects.
The site honours five sugar workers namely Rambarran; Lall called Pooran; Lallabagie Kissoon; Surujballi called Dookie, and Harry, who died on June 16, 1948, while on strike at Plantation Enmore, East Coast Demerara. They were brutally and senselessly gunned down by Colonial Police.
According to Kumar, the work at the site was necessary and timely, since it was difficult to access the site whenever it rained.
He noted that the PPP/C has been spearheading the project which entails a paved walkway, a new concrete bridge to access the final resting place of the Enmore Martyrs, a plaque, and a newly built arch over the burial site.
“This was in preparation for our plan for the 75th anniversary. But before the work commenced, the place used to be full of mud; anytime it rained you can’t walk in, the place would even flood out.
“So, what we did is we made sure we did the road so everybody could drive in. We removed the wood bridge and replaced it with a concrete bridge for people to go across, we concrete the whole place, and then we put up the headstones and a plaque and the arch,” Kumar said.
He related that the plan to have the heritage site is one of great importance, noting that the PPP/C is aware of the significant sacrifice that was made by those heroes and how instrumental it was in Guyana’s history.