Hours of protests, blockades and disruption along sections of the West Coast Berbice (WCB) and Mahaicony roads concluded yesterday after District Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo returned home after facing several charges in Georgetown stemming from the March 2nd general elections.
Residents of Belladrum and its neighbouring villages along the WCB and sections of Mahaicony gathered along the access road on Sunday to protest the detention and charging of Mingo, who was on Saturday slapped with four counts of misconduct in public office.
Commander of Region Five Edmond Cooper yesterday afternoon told Stabroek News that normalcy has returned to the area.
Meanwhile, Chairman of Region Five, Vickchand Ramphal last evening told Stabroek News that he visited the areas and called on the villagers to remain peaceful and adhere to the COVID-19 restrictions.
During the protests, the main access way was blocked as persons formed a barricade and then later placed objects across the road. At one point, a group of persons lifted a small abandoned wooden shop and placed it on the road and at another they lit material and a fire burned.
The protests lasted all day Sunday and into the night and yesterday morning. As a result, persons were blocked from using the road, which caused a massive traffic build-up. Many were unable to carry out their daily activities and some were even forced to seek shelter until the situation subsided.
The protests extended into Calcutta and Recess, Mahaicony late Sunday night and yesterday morning.
Two persons, a civilian and a police officer were yesterday injured after the police were forced to use tear gas and rubber bullets in an effort to disperse those gathered.
A police source told Stabroek News that a rank was forced to fire at a protester just around 4 yesterday after he allegedly used a brick and pelted the rank causing an injury just above his eye.
On Sunday, the GPF warned that it would take action if persons continued to break the law. After the protests continued, the police yesterday morning reiterated their concerns.
The police in a statement said that during the period, the ranks had been making “diligent” efforts at maintaining public safety and the movement of traffic which had been impeded for several hours throughout those communities as a result of the protests.
“While the Police Force recognizes the constitutional rights of citizens to peaceful protests, when such protests degenerate into a series of unlawful activities, the Police Force would have to take necessary action,” the police said.
It added that the police have shown “considerable” restraint and have been constantly calling on the protesters to desist from the unlawful acts, but to no avail.
As a result, the police noted that there was an escalation and the Riot Unit was deployed. “During these activities a male protester was shot and injured with rubber bullets and a policeman received injuries to his eyes from obstacles thrown at the Police,” the police said.
According to Cooper, both of the injured men have since been discharged and are recovering.
Rally
Protesters continued to gather along the streets of WCB and Mahaicony throughout the day to await the arrival of Mingo. The protests ended after those gathered learnt that Mingo had been granted bail and would be returning home.
Mingo yesterday appeared in a city court to answer to the charges. He was subsequently released on $600,000 bail.
After bail was posted, Mingo was set free. Supporters, who gathered outside of the court house accompanied him as they made their way into minibuses and to his Mahaicony home.
Upon arrival, they encountered a large crowd. Many carried items in their hands as they ran and walked the streets celebrating the return of Mingo.
In a video seen by Stabroek News, several men lifted Mingo up into the air and carried him as he exited the minibus which transport him from Georgetown.
They were heard chanting “Mingo! Mingo!”
