The Guyana Police Force currently has the momentous task of quelling a massive protest along the East Coast corridor that has turned violent with private properties being destroyed and thousands of citizens stranded and confined to their homes.
But when this immediate task is addressed in short order, the police will also have to investigate and prosecute those directly involved in criminality as some persons have also reported being attacked and robbed.
The President himself was subject to verbal attacks with one man using a live broadcast, being monitored by Opposition APNU+AFC Parliamentarian Sherod Duncan, to make assassination threats against the Head of State.
“We will be killing the [expletive omitted] President too,” a resident said as he looked into the camera and made the direct statement.
Duncan would only say “emotions are certainly running high,” when cautioned by others not to broadcast the statement.
And, it did not go unnoticed by the President. In a subsequent Facebook live broadcast, Dr. Ali pointed out the lack of condemnation by Duncan.
“This is unacceptable in a democratic society.
“I assure stakeholders that this is a separate issue and it must also be subject to investigation by the Guyana Police Force,” Dr. Ali said as he also called for an end to the protest.
“Threats to the life of the President are unacceptable,” he added.
Later on his Facebook page, the President said that he has received an “outpouring of love and support” following the threats made to his life.
“Today, a man threatened my life. And, the Member of Parliament who filmed it did not denounce the statement…today, I will be holding my family and the extended Guyanese family tighter,” the Head of State wrote.
President Ali said he will be asking the Parliament to pass a unanimous resolution “decrying political violence and threats of assassination. Because, in order to build one Guyana for all, we must speak with one voice that threats of political violence and assassination will not be tolerated in our democratic society.”
The protest started at the break of dawn at Golden Grove where residents were protesting the killing of 23-year-old Quindon Bacchus who was shot by a plainclothes policeman on June 10 at Haslington, ECD during an alleged undercover police operation.
The protest erupted after a facetious online outlet inaccurately reported that the cop, identified as Kristoff Denobrega, was released from police custody. The cop, in fact, remains in police custody.
Sherrod Duncan and the protestor should be held for treason.. and the guyana daily news outlet should be sued for causing all this mischief.
In any country a blatant treat against the head of state or any member of the cabinet is a very serious offense. Those who make such threats are dealt with expeditiously.