Police, ECD squatters in stand-off

Police ranks clashed with citizens Wednesday afternoon as they joined authorities from the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) to remove scores of squatters who have illegally taken up the corporation’s land.

Ranks moved in just after 15:00h at the back of Success, East Coast Demerara where heavy commercial activities are also ongoing.

Resistance from the squatters led to a standoff with the armed police officers. Resistance from the squatters led to a standoff with the armed police officers. Officials from GuySuCo and ranks from the Force joined and dismantled the main access bridge connecting the area, leaving a large canal to separate them from the squatters.

Residents reported that the Police officers were forced to resort to the use of tear gas and pellets as squatters hurled expletives and missile.

GuySuCo on Wednesday issued a warning to squatters occupying their lands at Vryheid’s Lust, Success and Chateau Margot on the East Coast of Demerara to remove forthwith as the entity is in the process of reviving its operations in the area.

“The Corporation is currently in the process of reviving its operations at East Demerara and the squatting on these lands is hindering the land preparation process,” GuySuCo noted in a statement Wednesday.

The State entity noted that a number of fields in the area houses its Germplasm collection which is vital for the Corporation’s Cane Breeding Programme but these fields have been destroyed by the squatters.