Dear Editor,
The ongoing surveillance, harassment and intimidation of opposition politicians and political activists by the current APNU (PNC)/AFC coalition regime brings back memories of similar activities by the PNC dictatorship (1966 thru 1992). As a historian, I learnt history repeats itself.
What is currently happening in Guyana is a repeat of the past and an omen of what is to come. People cannot afford to be silent but must speak out and act if they are to avoid a repeat of that terrible experience.
When the PNC surveillance began during the 1960s, accompanied with harassment, intimidation, violence against activists, followed by press censorship and banning of basic foods, hardly anyone spoke out. People felt that once they were silent, the dictators won’t bother them.
They were wrong as they well remembered what took place during that dark period – ethnic persecution and oppression, the likes of which the nation cannot afford a repeat.
The surveillance then was carried out in much the same way as is being done now by police and military people and PNC activists (affiliated with the militia) on the instruction of the regime. People were fearful of speaking out against abuses during that period with the result that the dictatorship lasted for such a long period and people brutalized.
People minded their own business and focused on themselves and
family rather than on the national wellbeing, afraid to say anything that will cause the rulers to target them for surveillance. The same is being observed now.
Unless people courageously and collectively take the necessary steps, speak out and oppose the current spate of abuses by this coalition regime, a return of a dictatorship is not far off the horizon.
During the dictatorship, the few pro-democracy campaigners (like me) and non-politicians who spoke out against the abuses as well as labour leaders (not affiliated with the PNC) were also victims. Students, teachers, canecutters, rice farmers, lawyers, doctors, and other professionals were targeted even for non-political activities.
As an illustration, when we formed student religious clubs and a student government at Corentyne (Chandisingh) High School, we were victimized and brutalized. Surveillance was carried out against teachers and students, including me, and several arrested or picked up for questioning – ring a bell?
Several of us were beaten. Others charged and forced to report to court repeatedly.
Do these ring a bell of what is happening around us today?
Several members (PNC element) of the current regime partook in (directed and were responsible for) the abuses during the period of the PNC dictatorship. They are at it again.
Efforts must be made to stop them, to avoid a repeat of that dark period of the PNC dictatorship.
Civilians must be willing to speak out against the ongoing abuses.

Yours truly,
Vishnu Bisram