RPA calls on Jagdeo to set up SWAT team

The Rice Producers’ Association (RPA) in an appeal for calm and reason to prevail in the wake of the killing of 11 persons, including five children, at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, early last Saturday morning, has called on the government to establish without delay the long-heralded SWAT team.

“Extreme circumstances demand extreme measures and ordinary lawmen cannot combat terrorists,” the RPA argued in a press release Monday.

“So Mr President, the ball is in your court because you have to institute systems to protect the law-abiding citizens of this land as a matter of priority, even if you cause offence by doing so, to the masterminds behind the criminals. You have that mandate.”

The RPA also urged that “we do not allow the bestial acts of those who seek to create mayhem in our land to succeed to the extent that decent-minded Guyanese citizens retaliate in like measure.”

The association noted that this was not merely a criminal act but one that was motivated by persons who want unrest and riots in the country so that they can force the government to concede to their demands.

Moreover, the RPA appealed for calm and reason in order that the demonic forces will not succeed in their intentions to turn race against race, Guyanese against Guyanese.

Meantime, the RPA called on the government to establish without delay the SWAT team, which according to the association, should comprise only of volunteers willing and committed to the ultimate endeavour of eradicating crime so that the helpless and vulnerable of society could pursue their lawful activities safely without fear of criminal attack.