Opposition-aligned Attorney-at-law, Anil Nandlall has written to the Commissioner of Police requesting an “urgent” investigation into the alleged attack on activists of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) while they were driving through Sophia this week, announcing their party’s campaign launch.
In the letter seen by this publication, dated January 2, 2020, Nandlall noted that on January 2, 2020, at or about 4:00 pm, a motor lorry conveying a music system and several activists of the party was driving through Sophia, when persons began hurling “missiles” at the vehicle and its occupants. They were allegedly threatened with violence, were they to continue their announcements within the locality of Sophia.
A report of the incident was made at the Prashad Nagar Police Outpost that evening, the letter stated.
Nandlall wrote to the Commissioner: “You do appreciate that each political party has a constitutional right and the democratic freedom to disseminate its messaging and indeed, to campaign for the 2nd March, 2020, National and Regional Elections. Any attempt to interfere with a party and its supporters right to do so would be unconstitutional, undemocratic and illegal.”
He added, “…Electoral activities aside, it is contrary to the criminal law for anyone to issue threats, hurt missiles or block public access on public roadways.”
Nandlall, a former Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs under the former PPP/C government, also reported to the Commissioner, about the alleged removal and destruction of PPP/C flags from public places.
“In the circumstances, I request these complaints be urgently investigated by the members of the Guyana Police Force and that Criminal charges be swiftly instituted, where appropriate,” he concluded.
The letter was copied to the Commander of “A” Division; the Crime Chief; the Minister of Public Security; the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC); the Ombudsman; Police Complaints Authority; the Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM); the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) of GECOM; Head of the European Union (EU); the Ambassador of the United States of America; the Canadian High Commissioner; and the British High Commissioner.
