The Region Four Administration, the Commission on the Rights of the Child and the Help and Shelter yesterday strongly condemned the killings at Lusignan, especially the wanton murder of five children.
Chairman Clement Corlette, in a statement, extended sympathy to the affected families and to the chairman and the councillors of the Mon Repos/La Reconnaissance Neighbourhood Democratic Council, the local government organ for the affected community.
Corlette said the deaths of the residents of Lusignan, under such violent circumstances, should serve as a wake-up call for all Guyanese to become each other’s keeper in times of distress. There is no doubt that the killings are regrettable and should not have occurred after our country had achieved nationhood over 41 years ago, and having taken charge of its own social, economic, security and political order.
At the same time, Corlette asked persons, even in the throes of their grief and pain, to desist from blocking roads and exciting others to vandalize public property and disrupt transport. He urged persons to go about their business with calm and peace and to allow the Guyana Police Force to carry out its investigations into the incident.
Meanwhile, the Help and Shelter said there is “no justification for any kind of murder and this attack is a horrific indicator of the levels to which criminals in our society seem to want to assert themselves.”
It urged the public not to let the anger and frustration of this incident “lead to any further interpersonal violence.” Instead it said persons should channel their frustrations into efforts aimed at ensuring that the security forces are reorganizing to improve security while bringing the perpetrators to justice.
The organization, extending condolences to the bereaved families and community, offered its counselling services as part of any community effort aimed at overcoming the trauma and fear stemming from the attack.
Additionally, the National Commission on the Rights of the Child denounced the attack, particularly the slaying of children. The group extended sympathy to the affected families.
