Buxtonians yesterday described the actions of the government towards the community as “wicked” and called for an immediate end to the harassment of youngsters by soldiers and the destruction of their farmlands.
The residents were voicing their concerns at the fourth and final Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) community dialogue which was held at the Friendship Primary School yesterday afternoon.
Despite the small turnout, the residents were very vocal and at the end of the two-hour-long meeting it was agreed that a delegation will be formed to meet with the heads of the army and the police to let their concerns be known and to possibly find solutions.
Chairman of the ERC, Juan Edghill and Region Four Chairman Clement Corlette both urged the close to 40 residents who had gathered, at the start of the meeting to share their concerns without fear. Edghill told the residents that there were clearly a lot of issues that needed to be addressed. He told the residents they must reject violence as a solution to their problems, share space and not fall pray to `set-ups’.
The Chairman pointed out that there is a need for economic justice and security in the village but at the same time an environment has to be created to put pressure on those who are not doing anything about the hardships that residents are facing.
He threw out a challenge to those gathered to approach institutions and church leaders and have them acknowledge that they have been silent on certain issues. Corlette expressed his gratitude to the ERC for holding the forum and stressed that it is important to have a meeting because of what has been happening.
He said that there are concerns about the future economic well-being of farmers in Buxton, an issue that definitely requires answers.
During the dialogue, the commissioners heard repeated complaints of wrongful arrest, harassment and abuse by soldiers camping out in the village and the destruction and banishment from farms which is causing great economic hardships.
One concerned resident, Fitzroy Miller sought the assistance of the commission to build a youth centre in the community so that the young people there can be gainfully occupied. The gathering was subsequently told that work for such a building started in 2004 but because of a lack of funds it could not be completed. Corlette in addressing this issue said representation will be made for the continuation of the building to be catered for in the region’s budget.
According to Miller, young men in the village are being tortured – black bags place over their head and beaten, for no reason.
He stressed though that for many years villagers have rejected going towards violence but he later questioned how must longer they are going to put up with what is happening in their community. Edghill in attempting to address some of the concerns outlined by Miller urged the residents to fix a venue so that they can articulate what is happening and the ERC will ensure that the security forces respond to each of the allegations made.
Wicked and racist
One resident described the government as racist and wicked for the hardships that they are putting the community though and this point was agreed to by the other residents who had gathered in the meeting.
The resident said that what is being done in Buxton is totally unnecessary. He said that it seems like Buxton’s terrain is even rougher that the interior and it would be an ideal place for the military to train. This comment was met with much laughter from the residents and members of the head table.
He called the clearing of the backlands “downright governmental pressure on Buxton” adding that “We are totally against it. Every time they destroy they will suffer for it
