Dear Editor,
ON June 28, 2022, the East Coast of Demerara corridor was tainted by sad, riotous and unjustified events that have elicited varying responses from significant stakeholders.
President Dr Irfaan Ali and leaders of the government have immediately acted, engaging at the root level, while there has been the strongest condemnation from Guyanese at home and in the diaspora, various media, and observers.
There have also been calls for transparency in the investigative process regarding the death of Quindon Bacchus, from which the agitation commenced. These aside, most disappointing is that we are forced to witness another callous, myopic display from the Opposition leaders and their patriots.
Media reports suggest that the protest march that essentially spiralled out of control was the influence of a false report that the policeman allegedly involved in the death of Bacchus, was released on minimal bail.
Although false, it was enough to fuel the already instigated notion of discord that violence was the only way to quell responses targeted at a public trial of the accused officer, against almost every legal procedural norm.
The tacit no-objection and aggression-laden dialect used by Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton, David Hinds, et al, are irresponsible and designed to do more than prematurely support a protest of concern. Rather, these were uncovered intent to rile up the overspill and incense passions that would result in a destabilising social crisis.
The highlights of Norton’s response to the mayhem caused by a majority of racial attacks on Indian vendors at the Mon Repos Market was his unqualified distinction that some police officers drank the drinks sold by vendors of a particular ethnic persuasion at Golden Grove. It did not matter to the so-called Opposition Leader that hundreds of innocent hard-working Indian people were attacked and beaten, and their properties destroyed, without these persons having anything to do with the alleged wrongful shooting of Bacchus.
It also does not seem to matter that our people of all popular nationalities have lived in harmony on this corridor for decades. The vicious attack on innocent hard-working citizens must be stopped.
History confirms the characteristic violent behaviour of the PNC and the consistent advocacy of these perpetrators of violence for decades in Guyana. There is a clear indication of a renewed advocacy for the return of the infamous “Mo fire Slow fiah” touted by the late Desmond Hoyte in the late ’80s and early ’90s.
That mostly Guyanese Indian vendors at the Mon Repos market unjustifiably were brutally beaten, robbed, and humiliated by persons who were sent to burn, thief, and brutalize them, establishes why the strongest intervention must be made to ensure none of our people face such tribulation and cruelty again.
It does not take the most educated to rationalise that the clandestine strategy of these wicked instigators is to disrupt the fast-moving One-Guyana platform that has been a success story over the two years of President Ali’s leadership. Lest they forget the consequences, on July 01, 2020, the United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that “he instructed the US State Department to have all those who seek to undermine Guyana’s democracy be held accountable for their actions.”
Likewise, President Ali is expected to adopt assertive, but prudent measures to provide opportunities, while protecting our citizens according to the hilt of our laws.
The People’s Progressive Party was in struggle for decades and on every occasion the party held government, the development progression to build a better Guyana was endowed. During these periods, it was not that there were no challenges. However, this kind of hooliganism and lawlessness was always avoided.
No protest would have been allowed to take place without the basics in place. The organisers and leaders of the protest must identify themselves and all protesters must wear the required “peaceful” picketing hand bands. The placards must be appropriate and not libelous or instigating violence.
The PPP/C is fully aware of the impact of protests, given their participation in many during the years of struggle. In particular, having to deal with and condemn malpractices at GECOM with massive protests. Further, in the struggle after the December 2018 No-Confidence Motion, several massive but peaceful protests were organised.
Another peaceful protest calling for the return of the ‘prestigious’ Carter Center to observe the 2020 Elections was also held. Unlike the previous Granger Government, President Ali must be commended for his immediate response to visiting all areas and effort to forge true working partnerships with all of our people, despite the deliberate ethnic-driven divisive approach of the opposition. I do not believe many anticipated that he would do this, and on both sides, his sincerity is recognised.
My vivid memory recalls how meticulous our leaders were if it became necessary to protest. There was always objectivity in the decision of the location, and in ensuring that we have leaders responsible for our protesters. Never was there the clandestine design to attack and create mayhem against fellow countrymen and women, thereby realising civil strife.
Organisers were quick to inform the police of our ‘route’ and our movements, and they were willing to give advice. Further, careful consideration and scrutiny stymied the efforts of villains and ‘lumpen’ with intentions to loot and steal from the stores. The fact is that the PPP is capable of mobilising and giving leadership to their supporters, while comparatively, the PNC depends on instigating violence and intimidation to get people to loot, thief, burn and create fear which must at all times be rejected
Consequently, the police must assert themselves and do what is constitutionally legal to maintain monitoring control in these cases. Efficient intelligence would have informed about the plan to go on the ‘rampage,’ create havoc, and burn to make the PPP/C Government look bad in the eyes of the public at Quindon Bacchus’s funeral.
My personal experience participating in, and organising a protest for decades reminds me of the role of the police who are tasked with monitoring such events. In this regard, the commissioner and commanding ranks have to be wary of creating an effective balance, given that in reality, some police officers are immune to being supporters of wrongdoing. Although sworn to protect and serve, some are constitutionalists and will stand up to follow the law, while others are biased towards the government of the day, and alternatively, those who are corrupt and bent on working with the Opposition and wrongdoers.
In 2020, my personal experience stands as testimony and reactions to related activities. I was arrested for leading a peaceful protest calling on the APNU/AFC/PNC to allow the Carter Center to return and observe the 2020 elections recount. Opposition loyalist mercenaries in the police force threatened to lock me up over the weekend, while the PNC woman who was singing at the road corner to lock up Jagdeo and throw away the keys, gave instructions to lock me up.
However, we were fully within our right to protest and it must be noted that after my case was dismissed, the known PNC policeman said that, at that time, they did what they had to do and by arresting me the picket line was stopped. Not so long after, Police Commander Mr Thomas was sent home and removed as commander for rightfully refusing to illegally carry out the dictates; of the PNC at the Ashmin’s building. These are all areas of correction we need to improve on, going forward.
In the circumstances, one must recognise the genuine intent of the positive national programmes and not allow the carriers of false innuendos to use them to derail the positive programmes of the PPP/C that will swiftly realise a collective Guyana benefit on any unfounded basis for violent protest. It is not acceptable to change the rule of the game to suit the PNC’s political expediency. Our country has laws and they must be upheld to sustain a framework for all.
Guyana is now a better place to live. Our country is on the rise and our democracy must be strengthened with the togetherness of all our people. The time is most opportune for our people to unite and stop all violence.
Respectfully,
Neil Kumar