The Guyana Police Force (GPF) today used tear gas and rubber bullets on squatters at Success village, East Coast Demerara after relocation talks broke down.
According to the GPF, officials of National Industrial & Commercial Investments Ltd (NICIL) and the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) went to the village to have discussions with a number of persons who are illegally occupying lands owned by NICIL, in an effort to have them removed peacefully.
Police Ranks had accompanied the officials to ensure that there was no breach of the peace.
“During this engagement, persons became aggressive and hostile towards the officials and the Police Ranks and began throwing a bombardment of missiles at them,” the GPF said.
This continued despite the Police calling on the citizens to desist from such activities. As a result, the Police resorted to the use of tear smoke and rubber bullets to maintain law and order.
Subsequent to the shots, the crowd brought forward a man who was injured by the rubber bullets. He was escorted to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where he is receiving medical attention. His injuries are not regarded as life threatening, the GPF said.
