Toshaos of Region Nine are calling on the Government and opposition parties to negotiate with protesters in Linden to bring the situation back to normalcy and at the same time they condemned the “criminal acts of extremist protesters.”
The Toshaos and senior councilors of North and South Central and Deep South Rupununi, (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo), in a letter to the Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, expressed their displeasure at the unruly protest in the mining town of Linden. The Toshaos are in Georgetown for a meeting of the National Toshaos Council.
“We, Toshaos and Senior Councilors strongly condemn the criminal acts of extremist protesters, as such, recommend that the opposition Parties and Government negotiate in (a) peaceful and respectful manner with the people of linden to amicably bring the situation to normalcy,” the letter stated.
The Toshaos says that they acknowledge the constitutional right of every Guyanese, including Lindeners, to peaceful protest. “However, the Linden protest which started peacefully, escalated to protesters blocking the only main public thoroughfare from vehicular and human traffic particularly to and from Region 9 and 8 which has brought immense difficulties to the people of the regions,” the letter added.
The Toshaos noted the difficulties the Amerindian leaders of Region 9 had when leaving their respective villages for the National Toshaos Conference, in Georgetown, which commenced on Monday. The letter stated that some indigenous leaders had to resort to alternative routes such as a diversion through Rockstone to Bartica and then to Parika. This they say not only inconvenienced them but it also adds to the costs of Bus Services of Lethem, including the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.
Lindeners took to the streets some three weeks ago expressing their dissatisfaction with the “imposed” hike in the price they pay for electricity. The protest resulted in the death of three Lindeners after they were shot at, by members of the Guyana Police Force.
