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Opposition supporting criminal activities – Ramotar
PPP General Secretary, Donald Ramotar
General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Donald Ramotar, yesterday accused the Parliamentary opposition, particularly the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), of giving tacit (implicit or unspoken) support to criminal activities in Guyana.
Ramotar made the statement during a media briefing at the party’s headquarters, Freedom House, yesterday.
He argued that his contention was based on the opposition parties’ position on the motion tabled recently by Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee that was aimed at lauding the Joint Services for the killing of Rondell ‘Fine Man’ Rawlins and his gang.
When the motion was put to the House on Monday, the House asked for a division of votes and the opposition parties abstained from voting.
Ramotar added also that it was noticeable that the leader of the Alliance For Change, Raphael Trotman, after attacking the motion seeking to express appreciation to the Joint Services, left the National Assembly with his deputy, Khemraj Ramjattan.
“It was obvious that they did not want to be in Parliament to take a side for or against the motion…This was clear political opportunism, and can only encourage criminal activities in Guyana…He, however, returned to support the ridiculous allegation of torture contained in the motion of the PNCR.”
The PPP General Secretary noted, too, that the position of the parties came following a series of “vicious attacks” by them (Opposition) on the security forces.
He noted that almost every statement on crime and related activities from the PNCR and AFC appears to be attacking the police and the Joint Services.
Ramotar added that it should be noted that since the prison escape of 2002, more police officers have been murdered by the criminal gang than during the whole previous history of the organisation, spanning more than 150 years.
“The gang, most recently led by ‘Fine Man’, also committed some of the most atrocious crimes in Guyana, and were responsible for dozens of murders, including the Lusignan, Bartica and Lindo Creek massacres, together with earlier episodes where another eight persons were massacred on the East Bank of Demerara and the killing of Minister Sash Sawh. These, among others, demonstrate the terroristic nature of the gang.
“Clearly the Joint Services deserve the appreciation of the people of this country for arresting a part of the gang and eliminating another part during confrontations…The PPPC members, while giving support to the work of the security forces, expressed total opposition to torture wherever it exists, and committed themselves to continue to uphold human rights of all people, Guyanese and internationally, and this position was stated in the National Assembly during the debate.”
He added that the opposition PNCR, AFC and GAP/ROAR should re-examine their position on the issue, for as it stands now it appears as though their sympathies are with the bandits and against the law enforcement agencies.
On Monday last, when the motion was tabled, opposition members had stated that when the Joint Services deserved to be praised, they were, and in the same vein the parties reserved the right to condemn the actions of the Joint Services for any wrongdoings on their part.
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