Written by Denis Scott Chabrol
Thursday, 17 November 2011 11:55
Police on Thursday confirmed that someone fired gunshots at a tension-filled meeting Friday night by the ruling party in Victoria Village but disputed claims by the party that five persons were beaten and attempts were made to set one of them alight.
The opposition coalition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) on Thursday said it was “appalled” by the PPPC’s lies and called media reports of kerosene dousing “dangerous and an attempt to incite violence.” APNU prime ministerial candidate, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine urged his supporters to remain calm as the “heat” rises.
"We do not believe that disruption and violence are in the interest of the APNU" he added.
Several persons were held by police for questioning at the Cove and John Police Station.
The PPPC has said that one of its activists, who is a licensed firearm holder, fired shots into the air when several of his colleagues came under attack.
Police have not detained the shooter and it was not immediately clear whether any spent shells were recovered from the scene.
Police sources said stones were allegedly lobbed at the meeting but those who claimed that they were hit declined offers by police to be taken to hospital for treatment.
Investigators have also not received any reports of five persons being beaten and one of them allegedly doused with kerosene and attempts made to set him alight.
The police sources, however, confirmed that some “elements” who are supporters of the opposition coalition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) disrupted the meeting.
At least two APNU sympathizers, who were at the meeting in Victoria, confirmed that the PPPC meeting concluded prematurely and the speakers and activists left the village. One of them said the crowd became agitated when PPPC speaker, Joseph Hamilton allegedly said APNU presidential candidate, David Granger was unfit for that post.
The PPPC, for its part, has accused APNUites of using indecent language and verbally abusing ruling party associates while holding up placards of Granger.
Sometime today the police received a report through the media that persons had been beaten at the Buxton Rally held by the PPP/C at the Buxton Railway Embankment.
This is the second time in one month that the police have disputed claims by the PPPC that associates of that party have been beaten. The first such allegation was made one day after the incumbent party held a meeting in Buxton. Police, then, later said that it had received no such report though that did not mean that the incident of beating may not have occurred. The ranks on duty at the Buxton meeting had also neither seen nor received any report of beatings. Police had called on anyone who might have been the victim to report the matter to the nearest police station.
APNU called on the PPP to desist from misinforming Guyanese and the world that APNU supporters are disruptive
Thursday, 17 November 2011 11:55
Police on Thursday confirmed that someone fired gunshots at a tension-filled meeting Friday night by the ruling party in Victoria Village but disputed claims by the party that five persons were beaten and attempts were made to set one of them alight.
The opposition coalition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) on Thursday said it was “appalled” by the PPPC’s lies and called media reports of kerosene dousing “dangerous and an attempt to incite violence.” APNU prime ministerial candidate, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine urged his supporters to remain calm as the “heat” rises.
"We do not believe that disruption and violence are in the interest of the APNU" he added.
Several persons were held by police for questioning at the Cove and John Police Station.
The PPPC has said that one of its activists, who is a licensed firearm holder, fired shots into the air when several of his colleagues came under attack.
Police have not detained the shooter and it was not immediately clear whether any spent shells were recovered from the scene.
Police sources said stones were allegedly lobbed at the meeting but those who claimed that they were hit declined offers by police to be taken to hospital for treatment.
Investigators have also not received any reports of five persons being beaten and one of them allegedly doused with kerosene and attempts made to set him alight.
The police sources, however, confirmed that some “elements” who are supporters of the opposition coalition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) disrupted the meeting.
At least two APNU sympathizers, who were at the meeting in Victoria, confirmed that the PPPC meeting concluded prematurely and the speakers and activists left the village. One of them said the crowd became agitated when PPPC speaker, Joseph Hamilton allegedly said APNU presidential candidate, David Granger was unfit for that post.
The PPPC, for its part, has accused APNUites of using indecent language and verbally abusing ruling party associates while holding up placards of Granger.
Sometime today the police received a report through the media that persons had been beaten at the Buxton Rally held by the PPP/C at the Buxton Railway Embankment.
This is the second time in one month that the police have disputed claims by the PPPC that associates of that party have been beaten. The first such allegation was made one day after the incumbent party held a meeting in Buxton. Police, then, later said that it had received no such report though that did not mean that the incident of beating may not have occurred. The ranks on duty at the Buxton meeting had also neither seen nor received any report of beatings. Police had called on anyone who might have been the victim to report the matter to the nearest police station.
APNU called on the PPP to desist from misinforming Guyanese and the world that APNU supporters are disruptive
