-police commissioner te
lls Corbin
The Guyana Police Force has told the PNCR Leader Robert Corbin that if disorder continues during its protest actions the Force will have no choice but to deny permission for any further marches.
Responding to statements made by the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) on the issue the force said yesterday that the use of main business sector routes for marches has been denied for a number of years and not recently, adding that recent actions by the party and the attitude it displayed looks as if the PNCR is pushing for a confrontation with the security forces.
According to release issued by the Police Public Relations Department, the recent statement of the PNCR does not reflect that a senior police rank spoke with General Secretary of the party, Oscar Clarke on Monday informing him that once he gave assurances that the march would be conducted in a responsible manner, including following orders given by the Divisional Commander in relation to routes and the provision of marshalls, approval would have been granted.
The police said they have constitutional responsibility to maintain law and order and will not shirk from it noting that any attempt to break the laws through unlawful acts and disturbances will be met with the full force of the law.
Further, the force challenged the PNCR to provide evidence of its peaceful march and conduct noting that Commissioner of Police (ag) Henry Greene wrote Leader of the Opposition, Robert Corbin following the march on May 8 expressing concern over the conduct of the march.
In the letter, which was included in the press release, Greene said the response of the marchers was most shocking and not in keeping with the compliance expected of members/supporters of a political party. He said the barriers established were thrown down on two occasions and that persons proceeded along a route of their own making without due regard for those established to maintain law and order.
Greene stated that such conduct was unexpected, adding that the force will have no choice but to refuse permission for further marches if Corbin was unable to control, “the elements bent on disorder and disobedience”.
