APNU yesterday expressed dismay over reports that commuters were stranded on Thursday evening by unrest at Agricola but it also accused government officials of contributing to the situation by making incendiary remarks and maintained its call for Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee to be dismissed.
In a statement, the main opposition condemned what it said were incendiary and irresponsible statements by Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon and the Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall.
It called for calm on the East Bank and respect for the rights of all other citizens saying that it also upholds the right of citizens to protest against Police killings.
APNU said that chaos erupted spontaneously on Thursday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court over concerns that a policeman charged with murdering Agricola resident Shaquille Grant was being given preferential treatment.
APNU noted that Grant’s mother, relatives and friends picketed the courthouse to express their dismay at the apparently favourable manner in which the accused was being treated by his colleagues.
“Dr. Luncheon, insensitive to the anguish and anger of the family, made light of the peaceful demonstration. He suggested that the real issue was a political clash between the Government and the Opposition. Dr. Luncheon, referring to Opposition calls for the dismissal of Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee over recent police killings in Linden, Agricola and Werk-en-Rust, declared that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic administration was prepared to fight for Rohee to remain in his portfolio. Dr. Luncheon is reported to have said, `As Muhammad Ali said, let’s get ready for the rumble.’”
APNU said that these irresponsible statements infuriated the public and pointed out that disorder subsequently erupted in the afternoon on the roadway passing through Agricola – the scene of the killing of Grant and where most of his family and friends live.
“APNU condemns Government officials for their reckless remarks. It calls on President Donald Ramotar to bring an end to this crisis of confidence by complying with the resolution of the National Assembly to revoke the appointment of Mr. Clement Rohee as Minister of Home Affairs”, the statement said.
