Preliminary investigations have found that the fires which gutted three public buildings including the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) office in Linden were acts of arson and de facto Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan has since asked for an increase in patrols in every policing division across the country.
This disclosure was made in a press statement which was issued by the Ministry of Public Security on Tuesday night.
“……..Preliminary reports from the security forces point to arson in each case, this development is most unfortunate,” the statement said.
According to the Ministry, Fire Chief Marlon Gentle and Commissioner of Police Leslie James have given their assurance that the fires are being “thoroughly” investigated and “all leads” will be followed.
The Ministry added that at this point, it cannot conclude whether any of the fire were “politically directed or motivated”.
“Based on the information available so far, it cannot be concluded that any of the fires were politically directed or motivated,” the statement noted.
The Ministry said that the investigations are ongoing and it promised to keep the public informed.
In light of the current politic atmosphere in the country, the Ministry has since urged citizens to remain calm and “keep an eye out” for “mischievous elements” who may seek to cause fear by destroying properties.
“The Minister of Public Security requested that more security personnel be dedicated to more frequent patrols in every division……We can ill-afford any further loss of valuable assets. I therefore call on all citizens to cooperate with our security forces by assisting to safeguard both public and private property. If you see something, say something,” the statement added.
As of recent, there has been an increase of fires at public buildings.
Within hours on Monday morning, three buildings- the GECOM office at Wismar, Linden, an unoccupied Army Base of the Second Infantry Battalion, Maria’s Lodge, Essequibo and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) office at Anna Regina, Essequibo were destroyed by fire.
On Sunday morning, an attempt was also made to set fire to the cultural landmark, the Umana Yana at Kingston.
At a press conference on Monday, Ramjattan had said that the Disciplined Services and citizens have been urged to “keep an eye out” for potential arsonists.
“….We have asked all disciplined forces and we are also asking members of the public to have an eye out on all of these mischief makers who they can then inform the police about, as that can help,” he said.
“We just cannot have our four, five thousand policemen all across the country just looking after public infrastructure. That requires the help of the citizenry too and whatever information that the citizenry has in relation to potential arson, potential destruction of buildings, malicious damage to property. We would like to hear from them,” Ramjattan added.
He stated that Joint Services have been on “high alert” since the March 2nd elections.
“….The actual security forces are on high alert and they have been so since elections time. Elections have not been completed, we are almost there and so to that extent then we would just urge members of the public to help in that regard,” he said.
