Latest update November 5th, 2024 1:37 AM
Police say protest shooting was unfortunate
“Our actions are usually in the interest of the maintenance of law and order and in support of the safety, security and well-being of all Guyanese.”
The Guyana Police Force has expressed some remorse for the injuries sustained by several persons as a result of its ranks opening fire during a public demonstration on Tuesday.
In a statement issued yesterday, the police said that it was most unfortunate that persons were shot, though not seriously injured.
The Force also acknowledged that children were discomfited and inconvenienced in schools in the areas of the police operation to disperse supporters of A Partnership for National Unity, who were proceeding along Hadfield Street.
APNU’s Dr. David Hinds in deep conversation with the police at the Square of the Revolution on Tuesday morning.
While some persons and organizations have condemned the police actions, the Force stated that its intention is always to maintain law and order.
“Our actions are usually in the interest of the maintenance of law and order and in support of the safety, security and well-being of all Guyanese,” the police said in its statement.
They emphasized that contrary to reports carried in certain sections of the media, no tear gas was used during the operations to disperse the protestors.
On Wednesday, police opened fire with rubber bullets on protestors after warning them that their actions were bordering on the illegal since they did not have permission for any procession through the streets of Georgetown.
Several persons including Former Army Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier General Edward Collins, attorney at law James Bond and former People’s National Congress Reform Member of Parliament, Joan Baveghems who were part of the procession, received rubber pellet wounds.
APNU member Dr. David Hinds, who was also among persons assembled at the Square of the Revolution before the confrontation, described the police actions as worrying.
“We have no hesitation now, but to put this in the hands of the people…we are not going to sit down and allow this to happen to our people again. We feel that we have been quite peaceful thus far, we have urged our people to be restrained, not to get into any conflict with the police,” he said.
Dr. Hinds said that despite his assurance to the police that the actions of the group of APNU supporters would be peaceful, the police still used excessive force.
“We were just marching peacefully, and the police, unprovoked, decided to fire on innocent unarmed people. That is a gross violation which we will have to answer.
The police are maintaining that the procession was illegal. But according to Dr. Hinds, there is nothing illegal about persons protesting an election.
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