Dear Editor,
In their missive `How come no reports to police on Agricola robberies’ (SN Oct 22), Messrs Rose and Singh, described me as “an embattled pollster”. They incorrectly stated that I claimed “only Indians were beaten and robbed” – a deliberate attempt to put those, like myself, who condemned the violence on the defensive. For the record, I made no such claim. At no time did I say only Indians were beaten and robbed.
I was not an eyewitness to the attacks. And even if I had made such a claim, how does it change the fact of what happened that terrible day to innocent people. If people, other than Indians, were beaten does that make the violence justified.
For the record, I derived my information on the violence from the dailies which stated Indians were beaten and robbed. No one and no newspaper manufactured reports on the attacks on Indians and on the violence associated with the protests. There was no propaganda associated with it. The protest and accompanying violence actually occurred. It was hard news. The newspapers carried photos of the attackers engaging the police. In addition, TV stations, I am informed, carried clippings of the violence and the beatings and robberies.
Messrs Rose and Singh penned that condemnation of the attack was “propaganda” and at the same time also stated: ”Yes, we got reports that people got robbed”. So they speak illogically and confusingly from both sides of their mouth. Many religious and civic organizations condemned the violence and the attack on Indians. Are they also propagandists?
Messrs Rose and Singh are saying “agent provocateurs in Agricola unleashed the robbery against targeted people”. Who are the targeted people (not Indians?).
Then Messrs Rose and Singh also said (sic) “people from all races were robbed but agent provocateurs targeted Indo-Guyanese to unleash their political agenda” – very illogical and confusing. What political agenda are they referring to?
What’s this nonsense about agent provocateurs and agenda? If Messrs Rose and Singh have evidence of their incredible assertions, they are committing a crime of withholding evidence from the police. They should file a police report identifying the provocateurs and who commissioned them. Failure to do so make them as culpable as the actual attackers.
Messrs Rose and Singh said their party commiserates with the victims.
Then they should make every effort to assist the victims with filing police reports and helping them to recover looted assets and just compensation for their injuries. Attacking me or those who empathize with the victims will not help the AFC.
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram
