Riot Police at the scene at Belladrum, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) where APNU/AFC protestors blocked the roadway
A policeman, as well as a protestor, have been injured during violent protests at Belladrum, and its neighbouring villages in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice).
Though the protests actions have diminished, the Guyana Police Force said it remains on alert to respond to any unlawful activities.
On Sunday evening, Police were once again forced to resort to the use of tear gas as protestors defied orders to disperse. The protest was being led by supporters of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) but despite warnings to observe the COVID-19 curfew, the defiant protestors instead confronted law enforcement officers.
The Riot Unit in full engagement gear was on the scene. In a statement, the police said it is reiterating its concern over the unlawful activities being conducted by protestors of Belladrum and its neighbouring villages, West Coast Berbice, and on the Upper East Coast of Demerara.
“While the Police Force recognises the constitutional rights of citizens to peaceful protests, when such protests degenerate into a series of unlawful activities, the Police Force would have to take necessary action,” the release said in part.
It added that over the recent days, members of the Police Force have been making diligent efforts in the maintenance of public safety and the movement of traffic which has been impeded for several hours throughout those communities.
“It is important to note that the police have shown considerable restraint and have been constantly calling on the protestors to desist from the unlawful acts, but to no avail,” the release said while noting that there was subsequently an escalation and the Riot Unit was deployed.
“During these activities, a male protestor was shot and injured with rubber bullets and a policeman received injuries to his eyes from obstacles thrown at the police,” the police said.
Residents of Belladrum took to the streets on Thursday with placards demanding Clairmont Mingo, the Returning Officer charged for electoral fraud, be released from Police custody. At the time, he was in custody pending a court appearance on Monday morning.
Police had arrested the Region Four Returning Officer a few days prior as they continued an investigation into electoral fraud.
Mingo along with two Guyana Elections Commission staff – Enrique Livan and Sheffaun February – were charged for electoral fraud stemming from the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections, when they allegedly altered to results to favour a win for the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC).
On Thursday, the protestors began blocking the main thoroughfare by burning tires. The protest action continued on Sunday, whereby protestors lifted an old building which was once used as a shop and placed in in the middle of the road, thus obstructing the flow of traffic as they chanted, “Free Mingo.” Police were able to restore some level of order during the afternoon, allowing the hundreds of vehicles trapped on both sides to pass. However, as the dark hours closed in, the protestors returned to the streets and defied the request by the police to return to their homes. Old vehicles and more tires were brought onto the street and set afire. The police on several occasions tried to clear the roadway and were initially successful. Realising that they were losing the battle, the protestors turned on the police, throwing missiles at them. It was then that the Riot Unit went into action after several warnings.
On Monday morning, as the hours wound down for Mingo to make his court appearance after being slapped with four charges in relation to electoral fraud, villagers took to the streets again, blocking the roadway at several locations. The protest was stretched beyond the county of Berbice into Demerara on the west side of the Abary Bridge which borders the two counties. The police were subsequently able to restore order and up to press time, the villages surrounding Belladrum were quiet but uneasy.
ADHR
Meanwhile, in a statement the Association for Democracy and Human Rights (ADHR) which is a Non-Governmental Organisation which promotes democratic rule within Guyana called for an end to the Belladrum protest action.
“We ask that the leaders of APNU/AFC discontinue their efforts to mislead the residents of Belladrum and that they desist from inciting further protest action. These actions are only reflective of the PNC [People’s National Congress] back in 1929 after they lost the General Elections that year,” the statement read. (G40)
