As members of the joint services and protesters in Linden continue to face off, seven persons suffered injuries today from pellets that police used to fire at demonstrators gathered at various locations in the mining town.
Cordel Belle, Marlon Richardson and Gordon Robertson were among the persons who went to the Mackenzie Hospital for treatment with suspected pellet wounds. They were shot at Silvertown, One Mile Four Corner and the Wismar Housing Scheme.
Among the injured was a child said to be about nine-years-old who according to his mother, Shelly was shot while playing with his siblings in the verandah of their One Mile home. The woman stated that the children were outside while she was in the house. Her son later ran into her screaming with blood dripping from his face. She rushed him to the hospital and was told by a doctor following an x-ray that the pellet cannot be removed because it was lodged in his forehead.
Stabroek News also observed that a soldier had been shot in the right shoulder with a pellet and he had to be assisted by his colleagues before being removed from the scene. According to reports he was brought to Georgetown for treatment.
Meanwhile, members of the joint services continue to control parts of the township and fired pellets at large gatherings. They are also controlling the bridge linking Wismar and Mackenzie and a team from APNU, led by Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, was refused access across the bridge. Lawmen manning the bridge stated that they were instructed to prevent crossings. Prior to the APNU team being stopped, other vehicles were allowed to cross the bridge.
The entire area of West Watooka was cordoned off with barbed wire and some residents who are living in that area are now being prevented from accessing their homes.
