Dear Editor,
This is in reference to `Nandlall rebuffs AFC claim that govt seeking mileage from Agricola unrest’ (SN Oct 13) & `Agricola unrest well-planned –President’ (SN Oct 13), I doubt that the AFC or APNU instructed their followers and supporters to beat and rob people.
However, the ethnically tinged violence and robberies, as reported in the media, unleashed on innocent commuters Thursday afternoon must be condemned and those responsible arrested and charged and the victims compensated – an effective and responsible way to prevent the recurrence of such wanton destruction and violence. The opposition should also be held accountable for the violence.
Innocent women and children and seniors were all victims. The perpetrators had no moral compunction. What took place on Thursday was criminal and the organizers of the protest should hang their heads in shame for not coming out to help the victims. Beating and robbing people must be condemned and does not belong in our society in this day and age. Thuggery must not be condoned by any political party. As one union correctly stated, the actions of the protesters “mask criminality under the guise of protest over seemingly just causes.” It is all of our business to come together and empathize with those who were affected by the violence and robberies.
The opposition should disassociate themselves from such acts and join with the police to find the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
While I have no evidence suggesting that the opposition AFC and APNU
(PNC) directed and managed the violence, as claimed by the government, both opposition parties must be held liable and accountable for the violence and robberies arising out of the protest, and the victims should go after them for justice as well as compensation.
The opposition planned the protest and must accept ownership of all that transpired and resulted from it. Victims should file criminal complaints and lawsuits for compensation against the attackers as well as the organizers of the rally.
The organizers of the rally should be hauled before the court to explain what happened on Thursday afternoon and why they were unable to control their own supporters. And if possible, they should be held criminally negligent just as they would if such violence had occurred in the US or Canada or other developed democracies.
The violence was videoed. So it would not be too difficult to pinpoint and find the perpetrators and arrest them. Also, the organizers of the march should help the police to identify and find the perpetrators of the violence. They are responsible for the beating of innocent people and preventing thousands from getting to their home safely. It is in their interest to get justice for the victims many of whom are supporters of the AFC. The AFC, in particular, owes the nation and the victims (if no one else) an apology and must accept responsibility for what transpired or pay a heavy price come next election. The leadership of the AFC should have known, from previous experience with protests in 1992, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2011 and Linden last July) that protests in the greater Georgetown area would be followed by violence and robberies. Hooligans look forward for protest opportunities to enrich themselves off hapless victims.
The AFC has disappointed so many of us with its revenge agenda against former PPP colleagues. Instead of siding with the victims and condemning the robbers, the AFC is hell bent on getting back at Rohee and busy organizing other protests. The party has its politics all wrong and priorities mixed up. The ingress and egress of peaceful people to and from their homes to work should have been addressed when planning the protest. Justice for the victims should be the number one priority now, not going after Rohee.
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram
