The answer to the security dilemma the country is currently facing must come from a collective and collaborative approach of the political and other civilian leaders who would give the security forces the means to discharge their mandate confidently, AFC and GAP-ROAR said. In a joint statement on the massacre of 11 residents of Lusignan, East Coast Demerara by criminals early yesterday morning, the two smaller minority parties in Parliament said they believed that at this time it was unwise to juxtapose calls for an investigation into unaccounted military weapons issued in the 1970s with this incident. “There is no time for irresponsible rhetoric and rumour-mongering from our political leaders,” they said. They said they were ready and willing to work with all political parties and the government to bring calm, as a prerequisite to the successful management of the crime situation and other crises.
Condemning all forms of violence, whether committed at the hands of criminals or acting under the guise of the state, they said that the killing of 11 helpless and defenceless residents of Lusignan, including five children, “is the lowest form of human behaviour that this country has witnessed in several decades.” Further condemning the heinous act as being the work of a group that is prepared to cause mayhem and destruction without regard for the consequences which flow, they extended sympathies to the relatives of those who were gunned down in their homes and asked that they remain strong and “keep the faith that there will be in this land, justice and a new beginning.” They said they were aware that merely issuing statements of condemnation as have been done in the past will be insufficient to address this crisis or to assuage the hurt, anger and hopelessness being experienced by the families when it was proven again that the security forces have been ineffective in protecting the lives and property of Guyanese who desire to live as law abiding and enterprising citizens.
They restated that the security forces have to do much more to win the ‘hearts and minds’ of Guyanese than has been happening in the recent past.
