Written by Denis Scott Chabrol Friday, 18 November 2011 22:19
Three persons including one woman were arrested Friday night for allegedly disturbing a public meeting by the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) meeting outside Stabroek Market.
As the estimated 200 persons across the road opposite the meeting became increasingly restive, two truck-loads of heavily armed dark-uniformed policemen were summoned and parked short distances away from the meeting.A section of the pro-APNU gathering jeering the PPPC meeting
Tension grew as the arrests were made separately at different times, with several persons surrounding and verbally abusing the police officer who had initiated and ordered the arrest.
A Peoples National Congress / A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) member, Tandica Todd was arrested after she protested previous arrests. A scuffle ensued between her and police and she eventually fell down or threw herself down on the ground to avoid being taken to the station.
The arrests came one day after police warned that “firm” action would be taken against persons who attempt to disrupt political meetings in the run-up to the November 28 general and regional elections.
One of those arrested was carrying a placard but it was unclear whether anti-PPP sentiments were written on it.
Across the road, unarmed police officers and female other ranks kept a watchful eye on the gathering that booed and jeered the speakers including Clement Rohee, Roger Luncheon, Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar.
ppp_stabroek_arrest1The crowd waved David Granger APNU posters and chanted “cocaine” and “Granger, Granger.”
One woman alleged that she was assaulted by a pro-APNU supporter and accused a police officer of walking away and ignoring her complaint although she had pointed out the alleged perpetrator to the lawman.
“One of the PNC supporters from over there come over two time and threaten me and say if I don’t put the (PPP) flag down, she going to beat me.
“I show the police officer but he just turn he back and walk away.. Why he didn’t go and hold the lady the same time,” housewife, Mandori Singh,52, told Demerara Waves Online News ( www.demwaves.com )
Jagdeo, in his address, accused the Alliance For Change (AFC) of “farming out” Guyana’s sovereignty by advocating that foreigners come in and help run the Guyana Police Force.
ppp_stabroek_arrest2
Ramotar promised universal secondary education over the next five years if he wins the regional and general elections. He also assured that he would take on board workable recommendations from the opposition to help develop Guyana.
Luncheon, in referring to the disruption of PPPC meetings at Buxton and Victoria by pro-APNU elements, said his party would not be intimidated and he cautioned youths to guard against being driven into fear. "When they see this crowd, they s#!+ in their boots. Their intimidation is not working,” he said.
All of the speakers pummeled the PNC’s track record while in government, saying that party was attempting to wash its image with a new face in the form of APNU.
They urged the gathering of an estimated 200 core persons who gathered around the stage where they were speaking to give the PPPC a resounding victory based on the incumbent’s track record of ensuring economic growth and improvement in the social sectors like health and education as well as roads and bridges.
Ramotar also hailed the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) and Amaila Hydropower project and singled out improvements in the health services that has seen heart and kidney surgeries being performed locally.