Home News Looting & public terror: Police patrolling roadways to ensure safety of commuters...
…as nationwide 12:30am to 5am curfew imposed for public safety
Assistant Commissioner of Police and Head of the Traffic Department of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Mahendra Singh has assured that police officers are patrolling the roadways countrywide to ensure safety of commuters.
This exercise was undertaken following violent protests across the country on Monday night, whereby criminal elements sought to cause public terror by blocking roadways, burning debris, destroying public and private infrastructure, looting, and causing harm to innocent individuals.
Monday night’s violence and public terror caused concern among many citizens, especially those who were still on the roadways, with limited information available on the danger zones.
In an interview with this publication on Tuesday, Assistant Commissioner Singh noted that much of the violence has ended. Nevertheless, he assured that police officers are manning the roadways.
“Generally, as we patrol, like everything, we do observe. If there is an issue that arises that we need to address, we will address. Naturally, if there is something that comes up even at the last moment, we, as we usually do, provide an advisory.”
In one instance brought to the attention of this publication, police officers responded on Tuesday to a situation in Agricola, located on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD), where residents attempted once again to block the roadway. However, the intervention of the police successfully prevented the action.
Meanwhile, he used the opportunity to condemn the violence that erupted on Monday night.
“When we engage in such actions, the image being portrayed to the outside world is not a good one,” he outlined.
“When we damage our own infrastructure, it is the same people—our Government—who have to rebuild it. And that infrastructure is meant to serve us as citizens,” he added.
According to the senior policeman, “we have to fix the damages that we, from the start, would have caused. So, if you ask me what law enforcement would advise everyone, it’s this: do the right thing. Always act lawfully. Don’t engage in incitement, public terror, or any behaviour that results in damage to public property.”
Singh also mentioned that the restoration of roadway safety following recent protests was the direct result of swift police intervention.
He explained that returning the situation to normalcy required deliberate efforts to remove debris, clear the roadways, and eliminate any obstacles or obstructions that posed a hazard to motorists.
He noted that the police efforts were supported by the municipal public works department.
“Let me put it this way, for it to have been returned or restored to a situation of normalcy, it was owing directly to the efforts of the police to remove debris, clear the roadway of any obstacle or obstruction or anything that resulted in an obstruction or obstacle to motorists. The police effort was invested. We were supported by the municipal public works.”
Curfew
The Government has announced a curfew in the interest of public safety.
The order was signed by Home Affairs, Robeson Benn.
“In the interest of good order and public safety, in every Administrative Region of Guyana, there shall be no public meetings, gatherings and assemblies of persons, processions or marches in any public place during the hours of 12.30 am to 5.00 am,” it reads.
However, on Tuesday Minister Benn confirmed that there is a contemplation to have the curfew start from 22:00h (10pm). He told this publication that this suggestion was made after the violent actions that occurred on Monday evening.
Meanwhile, individuals working during the curfew hours are exempt, including members of the press and distribution teams, essential workers, and those travelling to or from the airport.
