Former President, David Granger and Leader of the Opposition, Joseph Harmon, visited the families of murdered teens, Joel Henry and Isaiah Henry in Number 3 Villages, West Coast Berbice this morning.
At Isaiah Henry’s home, relatives and villagers came out to meet the two politicians. It was during that interaction that Granger called for the establishment of a “self-defence” society.
His call comes even as concerns are raised over the protest demonstrations in the village, which began after the bodies of the teens were discovered.
The blocking of thoroughfares and burning tyres carried on into last night, with the Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, and the Commissioner of Police, Nigel Hoppie, calling for a restoration of law and order. Police ranks were deployed into the area last night.
So far, the owner of the estate, on whose property blood was discovered, is in police custody assisting with investigations. His son, and handyman have also been arrested.
Granger, this morning, told the community-in-grieving that “if the government cannot protect us, then we must protect ourselves”. His comment garnered cheers.
He said, too, if the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) had condemned the protest action last year which led to a school bus being demolished and schoolchildren injured, then the murders of the Henry boys, “would have never happened”.
Granger said that the protest actions seen yesterday in the village send a strong message that “we’re not going to put up with this nonsense”.
He added that people in Guyana have lived in togetherness for the five years, and within the last six months, teens are being murdered.
“We can’t reverse what has happen, but we will do all we can to prevent a reoccurrence,” he said.
Meanwhile, Harmon promised to take care of the funeral bills of the teens and told residents that they should tell government ministers when they come to visit the area, that the coalition has been there already.
