Confrontation between Lindeners and the Joint Services in the wee hours of Friday resulted in the suspected torching of eight buildings and a flurry of accusations between the two sides over who was to blame for the ongoing instability in the town.
Negotiations which were set to resume yesterday on the terms of reference for a commission on inquiry into the July 18 Linden protestor killings and a review of electricity tariffs were postponed by the Office of the President and it is unclear when they will resume.
Lindeners had said yesterday that the Joint Services had mounted an operations against them to clear blocked roads into and out of Linden but this was later denied by the Joint Services Coordinat-ing Council, which said that there had been no such operation and blamed protesters for starting the first fire.
In its statement, the coordinating council said that at roughly 2.20 am yesterday protesters who had been manning various blockades in Linden raised an alarm that the Joint Services were on their way to clear the barriers.
“That was not the case at all. As a result, protestors and supporters numbering thirty, including women, stormed past the Joint Services Standing Patrol on the western end of the bridge and lit the bridge afire at the center. The Joint Services Standing Patrol summoned the Police and the Fire Service. The Police cleared the protestors using tear smoke and the Fire Service put out the fire. By the time the fire was out, more residents came out of their homes and the situation deteriorated. The Joint Services did not escalate the situation at Linden”, the statement added.
In its statement, Police HQ gave a different time for the bridge fire. It said that at about 2.10 am yesterday ranks of the Joint Services observed that a fire utilising tyres, wood and other combustible materials was set on the wooden portion at the Wismar end of the Wismar-Mackenzie Bridge.
It said that a crowd had gathered at the fire and in efforts to have them removed so that the Guyana Fire Service could extinguish the blaze, the police were forced to resort to the use of tear smoke.
Police said that the crowd was dispersed and the fire extinguished. The use of tear smoke on July 18 had been condemned by large sections of the public and it was after the canisters had been lobbed in various directions that the police had opened fire on the protesters, killing three and wounding around 20.
The police added that at around 7 am yesterday another crowd of persons ventured across the Wismar-Mackenzie Bridge from the Wismar end “with the apparent intention of immobilizing a front-end-loader that was parked in the vicinity of the bridge on the Mackenzie side. Persons placed themselves on the roadway in front of the machine, but were eventually removed and the equipment was removed to another location.”
While police ranks were trying to take charge of the front-end-loader, the police said it is suspected that other persons from the crowd set a fire which led to the destruction of the bridge toll booth and the Linmine security guard hut at the Mackenzie end of the bridge.
“Fires caused by suspected acts of arson have … destroyed a number of buildings in the Linden community. These are the Linden Salvation Council building and the Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Church at Silvertown, Wismar; and buildings at Washer Pond Road, Mackenzie, which housed the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Office, the Linden Care Foundation Office, the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education, a canteen, and the Linden Electricity Company Office. Another building behind the office complex was also burnt”, police said.
It added that efforts by the Guyana Fire Service personnel to get to the scene of the blaze at the office complex were hampered by obstacles blocking the roadways and which also caused the destruction of the wheels of one of the fire-trucks.
Police said that six men have been arrested pending investigations into various offences and are in police custody.
After the three protesters were shot dead on July 18, the Linmine Secretariat building was burnt down.
‘Blame’
In the wake of the seething unrest and arson in the town yesterday both the government and Region Ten administration in alliance with the opposition parties threw blame at each other.
Region Ten officials and members of the combined opposition said that the “brazen attack” on Lindeners by the joint services was an act of intimidation that could jeopardize the finalizing of negotiations with government.
Negotiations scheduled for 5 pm at the Office of the President (OP) yesterday were postponed by government and when contacted last evening OP press officer Kwame Mc Coy would only confirm the cancellation. He said that he did not have the details surrounding the postponement.
Since the July 18 shooting in Linden, a government team comprising the president, his advisors and ministers and a team made up of Region Ten Chairman Sharma Solomon, regional officials and members of the opposition have been meeting to iron out a number of issues.
Earlier yesterday in a statement, OP accused the representatives of the opposition parties of sending mixed signals to the people of Linden.
It was stated that the August 8 agreement and initialling of the Terms of References (TORs) by the Government and the Region 10 delegation signalled a great sense of progress in the search for resolution of the issues associated with the Linden protests.
“However, the Govern-ment was not unmindful of the complicated situation on the ground where representatives of the Opposition political parties and the negotiators themselves were sending mixed signals to the community. The fact that a TOR was signed testified to the compromises of the Government in this matter”, the statement said.
OP noted that it was unfortunate that the “rhetoric of the Opposition and the Region 10 delegation did not match their avowed struggle for a peaceful solution” in that the blockage of the road corridor within and through Linden was their weapon that they exploited to the disadvantage of all.
The statement said that by claiming to be peaceful, “their very acts were destroying the livelihood of many and were occurring in total disrespect of the law”, noting that the government found two media events ‘sinister and responsible for fomenting the upsurge on the night of the August 9”
It was explained in the statement that at 5.00 pm on August 9, Mark Benschop radio was warning Lindeners that the soldiers were coming and later that night, Demerara Waves falsely informed Lindeners that the soldiers had seized control of the bridges, cleared the roads in Linden thereby disrupting and threatening the talks.
“The facts are that soldiers did no such thing, not having entered Linden”, the statement said adding that “predictably, the protesters were riled up, mobilized immediately and began a period of uncontrolled mob rule. Fortunately lives were not lost but the destruction of property and livelihoods were significant”.
The Government, in the statement warned Guyanese about irresponsible media pointing out that it continues to warn its negotiating partners and their mentors about their questionable control of the situation in Linden. The release said that the government even pointed out that extremists have seized a very prominent role in manning the front line of the protests.
“Government remains committed to dialogue but, cannot and will not accommodate the wilful rejection of the rule of law. The Government calls on protestors to become part of and support the move to have the blockade in Linden removed,” the statement added.
Provocative
At an emergency press conference at Sidewalk Café in Georgetown yesterday morning helmed by Solomon, reporters were told that despite the early morning incident the Region and its delegation were still prepared to meet with the president and his team as scheduled with the hope of at least finalizing the land distribution issue.
Solomon stated that the actions of the joint services could be seen as provocative since all parties involved were about to enter the most crucial stage of the negotiations to resolve the Linden issues.
He said that there is a level of hopefulness as some progress is being made in reaching resolutions and so it was “very disturbing to learn that such effects would have taken place this morning very early”. According to the regional chairman he is still to properly comprehend the true intentions. “One can generate from this that it is only set to derail these very progressive talks that we have had over the past few weeks”, he said, adding that in spite of these recent developments he and his team are still committed to engage the government on the various issues raised by the Region as the progress made so far “should not go to waste”.
APNU’s chairman Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, told reporters that people who are interested in a successful outcome of a negotiation settlement would not “be sending helicopters to drop leaflets over the town as though we are dealing with Baghdad, would not be building up the police forces in the town…”. The army’s helicopter had dropped leaflets over the town of Linden on Thursday seeking assistance from its citizenry in the restoration of order.
Roopnaraine said that it was indicated to government that these acts were placing the ongoing talks in jeopardy especially since it appeared as though a resolution could have come within hours. “It is very difficult to escape the conclusion that there are forces that work within the government who have no interest in the kinds of settlement that we are striving to achieve”, he said adding that he just cannot explain how such a decision was made to send the security forces into “that troubled very troubled area. Treating it in fact as though it is a war zone, raising the temperature, alarming the population, firing tear smoke …and pepper spray”.
Roopnaraine said that his party strongly believes that this development to invade Linden was a desire of people who have no interest in a negotiated settlement. Speaking on stage of the talks, he explained that it had reached a point were sufficient agreements were secured in relation to the electricity hike and hours were spent arriving at an agreement on the Terms of Reference for the technical team. He said that all that was left was the restoration of television facilities to the mining town and attempting to deal with the land selection committee.
PNCR’s Aubrey Norton who is also a part of the negotiation team said that the evidence suggests that the government is not disposed to dealing with the issues that have been raised. He said that the Linden issues can only be solved by political intervention (solution). He said that no military of any kind could help. “It is evident that the government wants to use the military against the people of Linden to produce a confrontation which will benefit only the government.
Asked how the region intends to approach this latest development, Norton said that the intention is to go to the talks to deal with the outstanding issues so that resolutions can be reached. He said that the government’s sending of soldiers is an act of intimidation which “we don’t think will work”.
He called the joint services presence stupid and said that “stupidness seen to enjoy a nice life in high places”. He said that they will continue to work with the people of Linden.
When asked if they wanted to make an appeal to Lindeners, Norton stated that from the beginning, it was a peaceful protest. He said that at every meeting in the community, Lindeners were urged to be peaceful and to stick to the demands.
He said that Lindeners were repeatedly told to “be calm, be peaceful but be focused on the objective”. He said that the Lindeners being peaceful must come with justice.
‘Brazen assault’
AFC Chairman Nigel Hughes declared that this “ambush in the night” has to be condemned he said pointing out that ranks cannot descend on a community in the wee hours of the morning and randomly start firing tear gas.
He said that the burning of the buildings and digging up of roads is residents’ reaction to this “brazen assault”. He said that this development is a demonstration that the state had no regard for the citizens of the community.
He said that the statements and actions of the president only confirm that this is “a different class and category of people who apparently enjoys the protection of the constitution and that under any circumstances is unacceptable”.
Hughes stated that Lindeners are entitled to equal treatment like any other part of the country and “you cannot ambush a community with tear smoke and pellets without warning” while noting that he understands the concern about the burning and infrastructure being damage.
Subsequent to the press conference, Solomon in a press release said that Region proposes seven conditions for Linden to return to state of normalcy which were listed as
“1. The withdrawal of the electricity tariff;
“2. The resignation of the Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, together with the interdiction of the squad that participated in the attack of July 18, 2012 with a view of identifying those who must be charged for murder and attempted murder;
“3. The establishment of a Technical Committee to examine the electricity sector in Linden and Region Ten to make recommendations to the National Assembly. This committee shall comprise of seven persons, three appointed by the government, three appointed by Region Ten and the Chairman agreed upon by the two parties;
“4. The provision of funding for a committee to carry out a study and develop an economic program for the region. The participants for this committee will be arrived at by the RDC, Region Ten;
“5. The immediate appointment of the Regional Land Selection Committee based on the composition of representation on the RDC, which will see representation from the APNU, AFC and PPP. This will terminate the Office of the President’s imposition as to who are to be given lands in Region Ten;
“6. The immediate return of the television operation in Linden which was a gift to the community (received in 1980) and seized by the PPP government after their ascension to office (1993);
“7. The issue of the Terms of Reference for the Inquiry into the July 18, 2012 shooting of peaceful protestors, discussion must take place with the Region that has responsibility to address its citizens’ concern. It must involve all the Parliamentary groups together with the Region. In the absence of such involvement it speaks to the imposition and disrespect that led to the current protest in Linden”.
He once again expressed his disappointment “by the insidious manner in which President Ramotar seeks to intimidate and frustrate the efforts of this community of Linden” and begged for a speedy resolution of the situation.
Meanwhile, the AFC in a press release said that the situation at Linden must be treated as a national top priority and called on efforts to further destabilise Linden and neighbouring communities to be blocked.
“The AFC is therefore, calling for the immediate cessation of all actions that are fuelling the tension at Linden”, the release said while urging government to “ensure that members of the joint forces operating in the area do so with the highest level of professionalism and with due regard for the civil rights of all citizens, those residing in the area and those traversing through”.
The people of Linden were also urged to ensure that their legitimate protest is not “hijacked by criminal elements”, even as the Party condemned extortion and other criminal activities including the destruction of property as this would tarnish the credibility of the Lindeners’ cause.
“The AFC considers it most unfortunate that at a time when significant progress was finally being made to address the legitimate core issues of the community of Linden, that the government would initiate actions that were calculated to inflame fresh tensions”, the statement said.
According to the statement “given the present circumstances, it is critical that the negotiating parties, namely the Government and Region Ten conclude their negotiations quickly and in good faith and with the clear intention of acting in the best interest of the people of Linden and others who are affected by the situation”.
Last night, in a transcript of a statement recorded for broadcast and released by GINA, a senior government official lambasted Solomon for bad faith negotiating.
Noting the many meetings that had been held on the Linden situation, Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon said:
“I think, the entire population is aware of the impact on residents in Region 8 & 9, the business people, miners, foresters, commercial life. These bits of information that have over time and meetings with the Region 10 delegation became almost a chorus about the negative impact. It yielded not an inch of a sympathetic response.
“The Chairman sat in these engagements and conjured the image of someone reasonable seeking to find solutions, and the evidence is there captured by the security services in Linden at their public meetings of the duplicity with which he was engaged.
“I can quote you the comments that he would have made one day after meetings with us, seeking to establish his avowed intent to come to agreement in the interest, a win situation, he would have used, and in front of the audience, the 2000s and the 3000s congregating on the Wismar bridge he is quoted as saying, he was looking for implementation of the demands they were making, and not promises as he claimed, promises were made for a fool.”
Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn also weighed in and said the electricity tariff protests had been hijacked by extremists, extortionists and criminals who were pursuing a different agenda.
“Today we had the attempted burning of the McKenzie River Bridge and the destruction of its associated toll booth. We had the burning down of the building related to the Linden Care Foundation which provides care for kids and other persons who are affected by the AIDS epidemic. We have had the burning down of the building which houses the Linden Electricity Company Limited. We have had on the Wismar side, the burning down of the Linden Salvation Council building, which brings training and has a meeting place for persons who are interested in developing the community. We have the burning down of the building which housed the Institute of Development and Continuing Education and we have also had the burning down of the GRA building in Linden”, Benn said.
He added “Clearly this destruction of these assets can only be done only when a certain agenda is being pursued. We want to call on the good people in Linden who are clearly in a majority and who if they have a continuing issue of course with respect to electricity tariff, to support the security forces in the restoration of law and order and to work to peacefully and amicably resolve the situation and if there are protests to protest peacefully.”
The Private Sector Commission also expressed deep concern at the situation.
It said: “The Private Sector Commission is deeply concerned at the worsening of the situation in Linden and the damage that has been caused to public and private property. These acts accrue to the detriment of Lindeners and will negate efforts by the Private Sector Commission and others to attract investment to the Region.
“As previously stressed by the PSC it is the responsibility of the security forces to ensure that all public thoroughfares can be traversed safely and without hindrance by all citizens of Guyana.
“It is our view that persons who continue to hinder the work of the security forces in this regard should be arrested and brought before the courts. The Private Sector Commission asks that the negotiation process be respected and urges all parties to seek to resolve the outstanding issues without further delay.”
