Protests over an increase in Linden power tariffs took a tragic turn tonight with three people dying and a fire raging in the Linden Secretariat compound.
A man was fatally shot around 6.30 pm today as police began moving Linden protesters off the Wismar-McKenzie Bridge over the Demerara River where they were encamped all day in protest at the removal of the electricity subsidy for the mining town.
Hospital officials confirmed the death of the man who was shot in the face. It is unclear how the man was shot. He was shot on the bridge at the same time as police began firing tear gas and pellets to disperse the crowd. Several persons have been rushed to the Linden Hospital Complex for treatment and two other persons were later reported to have died.
Relatives at the Linden Hospital have given the names of the three dead men as Lindon Lewis, Ron Samuels and Shemroy Bouyea.
The fire service has been unable to get to the blaze in the compound because the road is blocked. The compound houses the offices of the Guyana Revenue Authority, the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education and the Linden Electricity Company Inc among others. There are six buildings in the compound and the largest one is on fire.
When contacted shortly before 7pm, Commissioner of Police Leroy Brumell told Stabroek News that he was not aware of any fatalities but confirmed use of tear gas and pellets as his commanding officer at Linden informed him that protestors had retaliated. “The officers said that they were attempting to clear the bridge and bottles were thrown at them and they fired tear gas and afterwards pellets. I am not aware of any death …I will have to confirm with my commander” he said.
Residents stated that the first attempt made by law enforcement for dispersal of the crowd was asking, over a loudspeaker, that persons return to their places of abode. When this was not complied with, police began firing tear gas canisters. However from a vantage point of more than a quarter mile away their targeting was off since the persons affected were not those on the bridge but in the Linden Secretariat Compound. This triggered an angry response from some residents in the community who were not protesting and they, too, took to the streets.
The police force tonight issued a statement saying that its ranks opened fire with shotgun cartridges after missiles were hurled at them by the crowd and that several persons were injured. The police said they were unable to ascertain any more information on the casualties.
The police statement said:
“During today Wednesday July 18, 2012, residents of Linden were involved in protest demonstrations against the rise in electricity tariff.
“At about 1040h. approximately 450 persons marched from the Wismar Community Centre Ground, and on reaching the Wismar/Mackenzie bridge they remained there, blocking the bridge and preventing motor vehicles from crossing. Subsequently persons among the protestors which had grown to about 1,000 in number erected tents on the bridge and also placed derelict vehicles and logs across the bridge at several points.
“The protestors remained on the bridge and refused to move despite efforts by the police under the Divisional Commander who continuously pleaded with them to remove.
“At about 1800h. the Officer-in-Charge of the police riot unit which had arrived on the scene warned the protestors to remove as they were blocking the bridge and in breach of the law. They however continued to remain on the bridge while chanting that they will not remove and that they are not paying any increase in electricity tariff.
“The police again told the protestors that they were breaking the laws and that they should remove from the bridge, but they again refused and began hurling bottles, bricks and other missiles at the ranks of the police riot unit. At this stage the Officer-in-Charge of the unit again told them that they were unlawful and read the warning proclamation to them.
“The protestors continued hurling missiles at the police and began advancing towards the ranks and tear smoke grenades were used by the police in a further effort to remove the protestors. Some of the protestors dispersed but a large number of persons still remained on the bridge and began setting fires on the bridge while continuing to chant and throw missiles towards the police.
“The police discharged shotgun cartridges in the direction of the crowd resulting in a few persons being injured. However, the police have so far been unable to acquire sufficient information from the Mackenzie Hospital staff in order to verify the persons injured and the extent of their injuries as a hostile crowd is gathered outside of the Hospital.
“The protestors removed from the Wismar/Mackenzie bridge and proceeded to block the Washer Pond Road, Mackenzie, and also set fire to the GRA building on Washer Pond Road. Personnel from the Guyana Fire Service responded but were prevented from going into action by a number of protestors who threw missiles at the ranks and their vehicle.
“They were subsequently removed by the police and proceeded to the five-corner area at the junction of Sir David Rose Avenue, Mackenzie.
“The Wismar/Mackenzie bridge was cleared by the police who are maintaining a presence and traffic is now traversing the bridge.
“Roving groups of protestors have also destroyed a truck transporting fuel which was set afire at Wismar and damaged an excavator and have also set fires along the roadway at Half Mile and One Mile, Wismar.
“Additional police ranks have been dispatched to the community to reinforce the ranks already on the ground.
“The Joint Services will be patrolling the area and are appealing to residents to remain calm.”
Protests over the power tariff hikes have been going on for several weeks. Today was the start of an intensified five-day protest.
