Latest update June 6th, 2026 12:35 AM
Latest News
- 7-year-old boy’s throat slit …granny badly wounded during home invasion
- Govt. seeking $55 billion more four months after passing $1.558 trillion budget
- NOTICE TO READERS
- U.S. military shot down Iranian drones launched toward Strait of Hormuz
- Iran threatens to widen war as talks with the U.S. hit impasse
The State must bear responsibility for the riots
Dear Editor,
In every society, the stability of a nation rests on the conduct of its institutions, most importantly, the police and the political leadership. In the case of the tragic death of Adriana Young, what we have witnessed is not just institutional failure but a betrayal of the public trust. The recent protests, which escalated into violence and civil unrest, were not spontaneous acts of chaos — they were symptoms of deep-seated frustration with a system that appears indifferent, slow, and politically motivated.
Let us be honest. No one is naive to the fact that protests in Guyana, as in many parts of the world, are often exploited by opportunists. Looting and violence are wrong and must be condemned. But to simply point fingers at protesters while ignoring the government’s role in fueling the anger is dishonest. The State had multiple opportunities to lead with clarity, compassion, and decisiveness. It failed at every turn.
If the police had handled the Adriana Young matter with professionalism and empathy from the beginning, the situation may never have escalated. Instead, their actions — or lack thereof — became a catalyst for national outrage. People watched as calls for accountability were met with silence or minimal action. The public demanded that the Regional Commander be removed pending investigation, but only after significant public pressure was he placed on administrative leave — a gesture that came too late to restore public confidence.
Then came the autopsy. On a day when transparency and tact were needed most, we saw chaos and confusion. There was no clear communication, no detailed report was presented to the public. Vice President Jagdeo himself called for the full video footage to be released — yet it still has not been. Instead, we saw a pattern of evasion. When asked directly about the Commissioner of Police, President Ali walked away from the question — a symbolic act of avoidance at a time when the nation needed leadership, not silence.
What made matters worse was the politicization of the tragedy. Instead of unifying the nation around a demand for truth and justice, certain PPP/C-affiliated pages took to social media to fan the flames of division. Pages associated with known supporters, such as MP Vikash Ramkissoon and Priya Persaud — along with platforms like Guyana Daily News, Backlash, and Bacoo Speaks — relentlessly pushed a narrative blaming figures like Azruddin Mohamed and the PNC. It appeared less about seeking justice for Adriana and more about scoring political points. In doing so, they deflected attention from the State’s own failures and irresponsibly deepened the rift among citizens.
Meanwhile, the official report listed drowning as the cause of death. But it did not explain how she drowned. Was she pushed? Was she running from someone? Was she unconscious? The silence on these critical questions is deafening. Yet the President, in a national press conference, casually suggested it was “not forced” — prematurely shaping public perception before a thorough investigation had concluded. Why the haste in drawing conclusions when so many questions remain?
Contrast this with the swiftness with which arrests were made for those involved in the riots. The State showed that it could act quickly when its own authority felt threatened. But where was that urgency when Adriana first went missing? Where is that same urgency in finding those who threw acid on teachers and school children? Justice must be for all — not just for those who disrupt the status quo.
To the average Guyanese, this is more than just politics or headlines. This is about a young girl, the value of a human life, and a nation’s soul. It is about how it feels to be a parent and imagine your own child going missing. It is about seeing leaders post about mango-picking and other trivialities on social media while the country mourns and riots. That lack of emotional intelligence cuts deeply. It tells ordinary people that their grief is secondary to public image.
The truth is, this country is hurting. Trust is being eroded, not because of what the people did in the streets, but because of what the State did not do in its chambers. If Guyana is to heal, there must first be honesty, accountability, and the courage to admit when our institutions have failed us. Until then, no amount of arrests, press releases, or deflections will bring peace.
This was avoidable. And for that, the government must be held responsible.
Sincerely,
K. Nanda
Share this:
Discover more from Kaieteur News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Sir. Ronald Sanders
The GHK Lall Column
Weekend Cartoon
