Mr Rohee cannot be held responsible for the Linden shootings without an inquiry

Dear Editor,

Reference is made to recent letters and editorials in SN on the Linden shootings. I applaud the government for its quick response to the tragedy. The loss of lives and injuries are deeply regretted and I commiserate with loved ones and victims over their pain and suffering. A  Commission of Inquiry is most appropriate and must be expedited.  It should be noted that there were many disasters and tragedies in Guyana under the British and under PNC rule and no inquiry was held. So President Ramotar deserves kudos for ordering an inquiry and agreeing to the terms of the combined PNC (APNU) and AFC opposition.

The inquiry must be conducted with due diligence and must be thorough in examining all aspects of events and issues that led to the shootings and what transpired subsequently.  In British  parliamentary tradition, it is the convention to hold an inquiry into such grave incidents.  The government acted honourably even without undue pressure to condemn the killings. It is heartening to see the opposition and government coming together to address the issue that has saddened the nation.

I spoke with many individuals about the shooting. Very few are of the view that the government, Police Commissioner, or Home Affairs Minister were directly responsible for the shootings. Virtually no one is of that view, and no sane or rational thinking person would conclude that the Minister or Police Commissioner gave orders to fire live rounds on protesters.  But live fire was used and we need to know why.

In a democratic system, officials are held politically responsible for such disasters even when they themselves are not directly involved.  And so blame has been cast on the Commissioner of Poice and the line Minister with the combined opposition demanding Minister’s Rohee head. A no-confidence motion was passed against Rohee since the opposition has a majority. But I do not think the adoption of such a motion serves the nation’s interest at this time or serves the  interest of justice and fair play – if that is our interest.  To convict the Minister without a hearing would be tantamount to dismissing him without a trial and without a guilty verdict.  We need to know his role in the shooting, if any, and in the handling of the protest on the day of the shooting. This would come out in a hearing.  If he is culpable, then he should demit office. If we are going to hold Mr Rohee responsible for the shooting without an inquiry, then we should also hold the Police Commissioner, the President, the Chairman of the Region, the Regional Government, the NDC and the national government accountable  and demand all their heads. Why stop at Rohee?  Go all the way!

Under the British or democratic tradition, no confidence leads to the resignation of the official, although during British and PNC rule, officials remained in their positions or were  promoted when the PPP opposition demanded  their heads for culpability in wrongdoing. It is clear to many that the opposition wants to get back at Mr Rohee for earlier disputes and quarrels, and individuals are motivated by revenge rather than what truly happened at Linden and in obtaining true justice.  I have had a dispute with Mr Rohee for years and he has criticized me in his writings. But I do not evaluate him on personality or on our quarrel.  While I have an opportunity to get back at him, I choose to be professional and objective in my remarks in mjy evaluation of the role of the Minister in the tragedy.  Mr Rohee’s former PPP colleagues and the opposition should be guided in their professional conduct accordingly.

Political maturity requires that the inquiry be completed for the nation to know exactly what happened and how to prevent the recurrence of such tragedies. No doubt, the inquiry will apportion blame and effective actions will be taken against anyone who was responsible.  I believe people will be charged for this shooting.  Only then can we be in a complete position to fully judge Mr Rohee or anyone else.

Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram