Dear Editor,
There is nothing left to say. Guyana has become a horror film with a series of unpredictable deaths at the hands of a terrorist gang of 20 which seems resourceful in finding new recruits. So soon after Lusignan, this gives no hope of respite.
It is time the population of Guyana set SMART (specific, measurable, attaintable, reliable and time bound) objectives for the government, security services and political opposition, failing which there will be a heavy price to pay. The government itself embraces SMART objectives as part of its monitoring and evaluation plan associated with foreign funded projects. It cannot continue as business as usual in Guyana with the terrorism just as a side show. Indeed the time has come for a state of emergency to deal with this insurgency. Hunt them down should be the cry of everyone. The political opposition has to give their 100% backing to the government and security services to find these terrorists. It is no time for half measures.
Guyanese need to stand together. For far too long we have been divided. It is no longer an issue of race but an issue of opportunity for these terrorists.
As Cheryl Noble appealed to Guyanese in her letter yesterday, do not harbour these criminals in your homes or villages. Tomorrow you or your loved one may be caught in a direct attack or a stray bullet. If you are benefiting from their operation financially or otherwise, this is only a temporary windfall with a heavy price attached. Speak out now!. Find mechanisms of getting your information across without compromising your safety. Confidence in the police force is shattered and hence I would suggest that the government and the political parties, arising from the communique on the crime situation, form an immediate oversight body with persons of the highest integrity to receive private information from citizens (in any form) which can be then passed on to the security forces.
Dominic Gaskin and the others who have said it are quite correct. The situation requires a national response. The government alone cannot do it. The communique is a first step and I hope there is no haggling over the content of the communique whilst Guyanese continue to wonder who will be next.
Yours faithfully,
Gitanjali Singh
