A number of vehicles which were in Linden turned up this morning at the Kara Kara bridge in anticipation of a clear passage to Georgetown and were disappointed.
A press release issued by the Joint Services last night stated, “The bridge and roadway have been secured by a detachment, but small pockets of debris may still be encountered. The Joint Services will however continue to clear as they are in place, in order to maintain the site open to vehicular traffic to and from the Linden community.
“The Joint Services will, as instructed, maintain the road corridor open for the use of the Linden community.”
To the contrary, the road leading to Kara Kara was re-blocked at several points shortly after it was cleared by the Joint Services yesterday, the largest blockage being a few yards off the Kara Kara bridge.
“When I listened to what the six o’clock news said last night I really thought this place was open and we could get out.” said a mini bus driver who had a full complement of passengers bound for Georgetown.
A passenger who said that he decided to make a quick trip to Georgetown was also influenced by what was reported on the NCN 6 o’clock news.
Persons attempting to leave the town were made to trek 20 minutes up the Amelia’s Ward Hill before joining taxis bound for Georgetown. Along the main access road to the town of Linden there were several mounds of debris and tyres while closer to the Kara Kara bridge a number of large logs were stretched across the road.
At the bridge itself, two GDF trucks spanned both ends of the bridge leaving a single-lane path.
At a camp which was re-erected yesterday in close proximity to the bridge, three women spent the night maintaining the vigil. They said that several others stayed on through the night but left in the early morning hours. The TSU ranks had left the bridge early last night while a few soldiers stayed on and kept watch.
The Joint Services seized the bridge yesterday from protesters and cleared the debris along the road on the instructions of Commander-in-Chief, President Donald Ramotar. However, the blockages were quickly re-established leaving the 12-day stalemate in place. Routes deeper in Linden leading to Mahdia and Lethem remain blocked. It is unclear up to this morning when President Ramotar will visit. His plan to do so on Saturday was cancelled after protesters resisted moves by the Joint Services to clear the blockades.
