Though still in fear and their children traumatized after a group of gunmen mowed down 12 persons on Sunday night, Bartica residents with inspiration from the Ethnic Relations Commission encouraged each other yesterday to continue to be united and stay strong.
However the ordeal remains on the lips of every Bartician, many of whom were heard telling friends and neighbours that they could not even bring themselves to eat or sleep properly and that their children are having nightmares.
Though many of them were not very vocal on their experiences or concerns about the incident, they supported comments from a few community leaders who spoke.
Recommendations ranged from a desire to see the political leaders sit together and address the country’s security problem to an acceptance from government that there is need for international assistance to effectively fight crime and for the necessary action to be taken.
ERC Chairman Juan Edghill led a delegation which also included representatives from the Inter- Religious Organisation, Reverend Ronald Mc Garrell, Roshan Khan and Pandit Prakash Gossai. ERC private sector representative John Willems was also part of the delegation.
Explaining the commission’s presence in the community, Edghill attempted to dispel any view that the murders were racially motivated.
“This should not even be allowed to even enter discussion in your community. They came to Bartica because you are peace loving people… Let us punish the evil doers by not fulfilling their desires. Bartica may be badly wounded but not defeated,” he told the gathering to loud applause.
He told the residents that they had every right to be outraged and angry but reminded them to think not only of the gunmen but also of all those who may be benefiting from their action whether socially, politically or financially. “Condemn them as well,” he urged.
“Those who commit these acts must not find comfort in our communities. It is demonic and evil and should never happen again anywhere, any part of Bartica or any part of the country. That’s the type of anger we must have,” he implored.
Using a broom to explain the concept of unity, Edghill demonstrated by breaking the individual ‘pointers’ how easy it was for a community to become distracted if they were not tightly knitted. In this manner, he assured residents that once they remained together they would not be easily sidetracked.
Neighbourhood Demo-cratic Council Chairman, Gerry Joseph opened the discussion and told his fellow community members that it was truly a time for them to stick together. He noted that while the leaders of the country were elected to serve Guyana and must arrest situations like these, he said, “They will continue fighting at the top and we dying at the bottom here. We are brothers and sisters.” He added that somehow they have to convince the leaders of the country that they must sit together to deal with the security problem.
Scavengers
Former Regional Chair-man Gordon Bradford who was calm, yet visibly disturbed by the incident which gripped the community he was once responsible for, told the gathering that he was upset that whenever something happened persons end up like ‘scavengers’. “It’s like we flying all the time and when something happen we remember the need to build a house,” he said. He told the attentive gathering that the solution to the current issues facing the country rested in their hands.
“How long will we allow ourselves to sit and see ourselves as servants to these people while they are allowed to do what they want,” he asked.
He said it was time for Guyanese to stand up for their children and ensure that a better future was assured.
“If we continue to sit and allow this to happen to us we will continue to ask the question, who’s next,” he added to loud applause. He said he felt that the entire community was neglected in multiple ways.
Another resident who boasted of the community’s togetherness since she was a child said when she learnt of the Lusignan massacre in which 11 persons were killed she never thought that any such thing would happen in Bartica, especially because of its geographical location.
“But it’s like I can’t believe it, now it has happened to us,” she said.
The woman urged a reliance on the Creator since she felt that was the only way persons could really be protected, instead of a dependence on mankind.
And the PNCR Region Seven member of parliament Judith David said that she felt that the attacks had nothing to do with anyone wanting political power.
“If the criminal gangs are of the government then why did they attack a PPP stronghold area and if they were of the opposition then why would they attack a PNCR stronghold,” she argued, emphasizing that the criminals had some other agenda.
However she again restated her party’s position regarding government’s refusal to support a motion in parliament last week which called on the administration to implement a definite plan of action to arrest the downward spiral of the country’s security.
The government disagreed with the motion which they felt was clearly crafted to make it look bad should they not support it.
One resident who felt that law enforcement had failed the people of Guyana, repeatedly said there were still unanswered questions about the army’s missing AK 47s and he added angrily that it was time for the government to admit that they needed international held.
“[President Bharrat] Jagdeo must admit that he needs help to do something about this situation,” the man shouted.
Another resident who lauded the work of the ERC said Edghill’s message was like a tablet to the community as they came to grips with the most brutal event in their history.
However she seemed convinced that some Barticians may have supported the work of the criminals since the terror seemed strategically directed.
Her comments found much agreement from residents who loudly applauded, though many of them did not add to her point of view.
Meanwhile, all the religious leaders in the community have since agreed to meet at the Transport and Harbour’s Bartica stelling today for a special prayer session.
