Indian Arrival Committee donates to Sophia Election Day victims

Pooladai Khublall (left) receiving a donation from IAC Executive Member,  Safiya Gafoor
Pooladai Khublall (left) receiving a donation from IAC Executive Member, Safiya Gafoor

The Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) has provided monetary support to two families in Sophia who suffered the loss of property on Election Day.

According to a press release from the IAC, the monetary donations were made to the representatives of the affected families, Farida Prasad and Pooladai Khublall in a ceremony at the IAC Office in Quamina Street, Georgetown on May 20, 2015.

The IAC said it had set up a hotline with telephone number 223-5161 for members of the public who were “affected by 2015 post-elections incidents of violence.” Since the commissioning of the line, the IAC said it had received complaints of “many incidents” and it is in the process of compiling a comprehensive report for submission to local and international authorities.

All of the donations made to the affected families were made in accordance with the IAC’s mandate to “preserve and promote Indian Cultural activities, traditions and heritage while at the same time deal with social issues that affects Indo-Guyanese and to an extent, Guyanese of all ethnic and religious background.”

Khublall’s residence which had served as a command centre for the PPP/C on polling day came under hours of siege on May 11th from dozens of persons who supposedly believed that there were ballot boxes present. Despite searches which proved otherwise, the siege continued during which cars were set afire. The persons set six vehicles alight, stoned two houses and burnt a small shack with a horse stable attached.

On May 19th, the Khublalls’ home was raided by thieves who carted off an estimated $2M in valuables.