The government last night said it will do all that is possible to protect the people of Linden “from irresponsible and reckless” leadership while warning that mayhem cannot be tolerated and promising a full probe into yesterday’s protests in the mining town which left three persons dead.
“The Government of Guyana sincerely regrets the loss of life and injuries as events took an unfortunate turn for the worse this evening in Linden. The Government extends condolences and sympathies to the families of those who suffered injuries and loss of life,” the Donald Ramotar-led administration said in a statement late last night. “A full investigation of the events would be held as soon as sufficient calm is restored,” it said.
Three persons were shot dead during a protest over the reduction in the electricity subsidy for Linden yesterday.
The government last night said that the opposition parties, APNU and the AFC “cannot avoid blame for these unfortunate developments.” According to the statement, the opposition parties “organised and allowed their Members of Parliament (MPs), activists and extremists to lead protest against a thoughtful and sensitive programme for the gradual reform of the provision of electricity to the Linden community to deteriorate to such a point of violence and destruction.”
The government reiterated that the gradual increase in tariffs for Linden “did not warrant such violent behaviour especially when the rest of Guyana is paying the full rates.” “The government reaffirms the right of people to peaceful protest and one that is protected in our country, however, disorder and mayhem which threaten life and property cannot be tolerated,” the statement said.
“These activists joined a number of known extremists and agitators who seem to dedicate their lives to denigrating whatever this Government does and to erode the progress made in Guyana. Allowing protest to lead to such loss and damage of property and destruction through fires must be avoided and condemned,” the government added.
The statement said that the government will do all that is possible to protect the people and property in the Linden community “from such irresponsible and reckless leadership.”
