Lynched effigies of APNU+AFC presidential and prime ministerial candidates David Granger and Moses Nagamootoo were yesterday found erected on a power pole at Anna Regina, prompting condemnation by the opposition coalition.
“This hideous act is clearly aimed at inciting APNU+AFC supporters and also follows the verbal assault and intimidation of APNU+AFC members in Region 2,” the coalition said in a statement yesterday, where it also urged its supporters to remain calm and focused on the task at hand.
The effigies were mounted ahead of a major rally organised by the PPP/C in Anna Regina yesterday.
Meanwhile, APNU+AFC also alleged that Hardat Narine, a candidate for the coalition, was placing posters at Damon Square when PPP/C supporters confronted him along with others and hurled racist remarks at them.
The coalition said a few moments later a senior government official joined the PPP/C supporters in their scathing attacks, threatened Narine, and called for the police to arrest him. However, it noted that the police did not comply.
The coalition said Narine made a report to the Anna Regina Police Station on April 17.
However, when Stabroek News called the ‘G’ Division Commander Kevin Adonis, he said, “No. No. No. He never made that report.”
The coalition called for a full police investigation into the matter. It also called on the PPP/C to caution and control their officials and desist from threatening, intimidating, harassing and acting in an abusive manner towards APNU+AFC supporters and officials.
The coalition’s reports come a day after both major campaigns accused each other of intimidating and harassing the opposing supporters and activists.
At a press conference held at Freedom House on Friday, members of the PPP/C campaign accused the APNU+AFC coalition of participating in organised attempts at intimidation and abuse.
However, the coalition subsequently denied the claim and it said APNU+AFC officials are being “harassed, abused, bullied, intimidated and threatened” by the PPP/C regime.
“The APNU+AFC condemns these acts of aggression and desperation in the strongest possible terms,” the coalition said, while dismissing the PPP/C’s claims of a centrally organised plan to harass the PPP/C activists.
