Traffic is presently at a standstill in Region Five as protesters have remained on the main access road starting fires and blocking the road with tree branches and pieces of wood in their call for District Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, to be released from police custody.
Earlier today, Mingo was placed on $600,000 bail in total after he was read four charges in court.
According to a police source on the ground, there are presently several fires between Belladrum and Calcutta, Mahaicony along the main road.
He stated that they have been working since last night to put out the fires as they are started but protesters are not standing down. Additionally, the source relayed that a rank was forced to fire at a protester just around 4 this morning, after the protester allegedly used a brick and pelted the rank causing an injury just above his eye. The protester who sustained injuries from the pellets is presently hospitalized, while the rank has also sought medical attention.
Many persons were forced to turn back after they were blocked from leaving the region.
The police this afternoon issued the following statement:
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) is reiterating its concern over the unlawful activities being conducted by protesters of Belladrum and its neighbouring villages, West Coast Berbice and on the Upper East Coast Demerara.
While the Police Force recognises the constitutional rights of citizens to peaceful protests, when such protests degenerate into a series of unlawful activities, the Police Force would have to take necessary action.
As a result, over the recent days, members of the Police Force have been making diligent efforts in the maintenance of public safety and the movement of traffic which has been impeded for several hours throughout those communities.
To this end, it is important to note that the Police have shown considerable restraint and have been constantly calling on the protesters to desist from the unlawful acts, but to no avail.
Subsequently, there was an escalation and the Riot Unit was deployed. During these activities a male protester was shot and injured with rubber bullets and a Policeman received injuries to his eyes from obstacles thrown at the Police.
The injured persons have since received medical attention.
Notwithstanding, the Guyana Police Force will remain persistent in the maintenance of Law and Order and Public Safety and Security in keeping with its role and responsibilities as set out in Chapter 16:01 of the Laws of Guyana.
