The Guyana Police Force yesterday said that they would be seeking advice as it relates to the dispute over the “unlawful occupancy of a government building in Lethem.” The PNCR has been occupying the building for close to fifty years, the party said last week.
According to the force’s statement yesterday, a file will be prepared to be sent to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice.
Identifying the building as a “government building” located opposite Boston Street, Lethem, in Central Rupununi, the GPF said that it is “alleged to be unlawfully occupied by the Opposition People’s National Congress (PNC).”
The statement added, that on March 1, police ranks in Region 9, acting on information, “went to the government building” where they met Regional Executive Officer (REO) Mr. Karl Singh and six men. “The REO indicated to the ranks that he had given the six men permission to enter the building and take off the roof since the building belongs to the region and it was tendered for infrastructure work to be done.
However, the contractor completed the task of taking off the roof at about 01:25 hrs on March 2. “At about 02:30 hours that morning, a motor pickup bearing license plate # GRR 1100 driven by Carl Parker and minibus bearing license plate #BYY 755 driven by George Nicholson arrived at the area where they started to video the building. The contractor Dale Kennedy and two of his workers were inside the building at the time.”
The statement said, that Parker entered the compound and the building, “where he started behaving disorderly and chasing the contractor and his workers. The contractor and his workers refused to move.”
However, the ranks intervened and told Parker to maintain the peace. “He became annoyed and entered three other times, where he continued to video the building and workers.”
It was then claimed, that the following day at about 4 pm, the REO went to the Lethem Police Station, where he made a formal report that PNC Officials Mr. Darren Wade, Ms. Dawn Hastings-Williams, and others came and “broke off the lock from the gate of the compound and damaged the fence. “They then entered the compound, abusing the contractor and his workers and chasing them from the building, telling them to leave.”
According to the police, the REO pointed out that he would have served APNU/AFC Chairperson and General Secretary a Notice and reminders to hand over the building in Lethem several times.
“As such, a Police file was prepared for this report and will be sent to the DPP today. Police will take the appropriate action after that based on the recommendation from the DPP.”
Meanwhile, attorney – at – law, Darren Wade when contacted yesterday explained that the fence was loosened for them to gain entry to the building which is in possession of the party. He said, he has no knowledge about the removal of a padlock.
Wade yesterday lashed out at the Guyana Police Force accusing them of taking political directives as he pointed out that it is unclear how the police are claiming that the building is “unlawfully occupied” by the party.
Wade pointed out, that there were no legal proceedings filed by the REO to have the building vacated as according to him since the building was occupied by the PNCR the persons who entered without permission from the occupants would have been trespassing.
He also stressed, that despite several reports from the party the police failed to issue any release on those.
