The PNCR issued a statement yesterday condemning the most recent phase of Joint Services operations which began on Friday, August 10 and continues to the present time in Linden and called for the resumption of talks and for the crisis to be brought to a peaceful resolution.
“The operation so far resulted in injuries to several innocent civilians, including women and children, many of whom were in their homes. The Party, particularly, deplored the shooting to the face of 10 year old Nkosi Henry while he was standing in his yard at One Mile Wismar on August 12, 2012,” the party said.
The PNCR expressed alarm at the sudden and substantial Police and military build up and the violent nature of the offensive in Linden which it said are out of proportion to the passive resistance by residents. It called for a reduction of Police and military forces “which are serving only to incense an already tense population.”
“The PNCR… is aware of acts of arson (that) have been perpetrated not by protesters but by agents who have infiltrated the population. It is they who are attempting to stigmatise the protesters and derail the talks aimed at bringing the four-month crisis to an end,” he said.
The party said that Leader of the PNCR Brigadier David Granger was enthusiastically greeted by the people when he visited Linden on Saturday, August 11 to meet residents at Wismar and Amelia’s Ward, members of the Regional Democratic Council and civil society stakeholders. It said that Granger said he was looking forward to the early resolution to the crisis through negotiation and assured Lindeners of the party’s continued support for their legitimate struggles. “The offensive launched by the Government, however, is aimed at deepening the crisis in order to forestall a solution favourable to the Lindeners,” the PNCR said.
“The PNCR calls on the PPP/C Administration to bring an end to the crisis by resuming negotiations which it arbitrarily broke off on August 10 – the same day it decided to unleash the security forces on Linden,” the party said.
“The PNCR also calls on the PPP/C to bring justice to those responsible for the killings, arson and shooting in Linden over the last four weeks. The PNCR stands with the people of Linden to ensure that their legitimate demands are met, that justice is served and the crisis is brought swiftly to a peaceful conclusion,” the PNCR said.
Contacted by Stabroek News yesterday, Presidential Adviser on Governance Gail Teixeira said she was not at liberty to speak on what plans the Government has for the restoration of the talks or further actions regarding the Linden crisis. On Monday, Teixeira had said that Government was awaiting a return to normalcy on both sides of the river before making any attempt at addressing any issues there.
