It is hard for Guyanese to wrap their minds around the notion that a large number of heavily armed men could gun down eleven defenceless human beings in cold blood. It is even harder to accept that among the eleven souls who were victims of this slaughter were five children. There is nothing, simply nothing, which could possibly justify that.
While this abomination will stir sentiments of anguish and anger, there are nevertheless certain practical observations to be made. The most obvious is that the government’s security arrangements on the East Coast in particular are in tatters. The security forces have had a presence in Buxton, where it is known a criminal gang (or gangs) is located, for a very long time, yet still an estimated 25 gunmen were able to emerge from their base undetected to kill eleven citizens who had done them no harm. And then there are the police, who residents say took an hour-and-half to respond to their calls. So much for any arrangements supposedly put in place for rapid response in an emergency.
And the government is still dithering. It has been announced that President Jagdeo will hold three meetings today on the East Coast to hear what residents have to say about the Lusignan massacre. Other than giving them an opportunity to let off steam, and him an opportunity to demonstrate his concern, how does that redound to their safety? The President said he had given instructions to deploy the army in the villages on the East Coast, but the residents don’t want them there, so what is his back-up plan? In any event, that is just a short-term tactic, so what is his government’s longer-term solution to the problem? Is it any different from what we have been hearing for the past five years?
Given the time that has passed since the events of 2002-2003, there can now be little doubt that the administration lacks the capacity to think through the various dimensions of the security problem in a rational fashion, address the systemic issues in an honest way, and work out appropriate responses.
Stabroek News extends its condolences to the families who have suffered cruel loss in circumstances of such trauma.
