Region 10 reps accuse gov’t of trying to derail talks
Region 10 officials have dubbed the security forces’ Friday morning action in Linden as highly provocative and say they believe it was a government move to derail the ongoing talks aimed at finding a solution to more than three weeks of protest in the mining community.
Joint Services ranks moved in on protesters in the wee hours of Friday, clearing roadblocks and camps the protesters had set up in addition to firing tear gas to disperse the crowds.
Region 10 negotiator Aubrey Norton told reporters that at the last meeting with the government they had sought assurances from Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon that the military would not be engaged in any action at Linden since they felt they were nearing a solution to the crisis there.
“In his normal circumlocutive approach he said that we don’t control the military, we don’t know what the military will do. All of the evidence was there that they were going in a direction of a military approach and so I don’t want people to believe that this was some accident and the people necessarily to blame the Joint Services, this is a calculated government action to torpedo a political resolution,” Norton declared.
Commander-in-Chief President Donald Ramotar had told reporters Monday that he had tasked the security forces with taking the initiative to get the roads cleared. The military on Thursday airdropped leaflets via helicopter on the community calling on residents to partner with them for a secure environment. Attorney Nigel Hughes who has been representing the legal interests of victims also took umbrage at the military’s move saying it created the perception that Linden was a danger zone.
Residents have been protesting an increase in electricity rates and the killing of three protesters on July 18.
In the wake of the security forces’ action Friday several fires were set in the mining town which have seen at least three buildings destroyed along with toll booths at the Wismar-Mackenzie Bridge.
According to Norton, they have always urged Lindeners to be peaceful as they work towards securing a negotiated solution with the government but he pointed out that they have only broken the peace in response to state action.
“When the three people died they didn’t have weapons and confronting the police, it was the police shooting unarmed people and so any rational person would not want to endanger their people. We have been consistent in saying to the people of Linden be calm be peaceful be focussed on the objectives.
My appeal will always be for the people of Linden to be peaceful but this must come with justice,” he said.
A meeting is scheduled for later Friday between the government and regional officials with Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon stating they were committed to continuing the engagements.
Comments
The THUGS have taken over Linden I believe the opposition parties are happy about this. Benchop Radio and Demerara Waves are there to give all kind of ill advised news just for one reason only and that is to bring down Linden for good. I believe the Opposition will be happy about this, even if their brothers and sisters will most likely lose everything including destruction of their property.
Government cannot wait on a calculated negotiations that are clearly meant to put Linden in a Danger Zone. Whoever the Negotiaters for the Lindeners are must understand one thing and that is the continuing activities at Linden have now caused one Bauxite Company to shut down its Operations. However temporary this is will create much hurt as its employees have to go home. What is Norton and company want before they can advise the protesters to understand that their present Logic will not work in Linden.You are still in contempt of the Law by being Lawless in your obstruction and prevention of a return to normalcy. Lets face it this entire thing has spun out of control and the Government must now act 28 days of mutiny is enough and Linden must return to normalcy while the rates for electricity are being debated. This is civil behaviour outside of the political experiences and political deaths!