Min. Benn urges end to violent protest in response to death of teens

Minister of Home Affairs Hon. Robeson Benn is calling on persons in communities on the West Coast of Berbice to desist from the ongoing violent protest. The protest broke out after two teenagers were found brutally murdered in Cotton Tree village.

“No one would want the escalation of any situation on the coast, including the resumption of blocking of the public highway to a point which will bring about a further deterioration in the law and order and to create the possibility of bringing more harm to residents of the area and to the destruction of property and further loss of life,” the Minister said during a press conference.

The Home Affairs Minister noted that the Guyana Police Force must be allowed to do a professional investigation into the matter.

“I want to continue to appeal to the residents, to the communities out there, to those upstanding and reasonable persons in the communities to bring their influence to bare to have a resort and a resumption to order and the unblocking of the roads,” Minister Benn pleaded.

He noted that the members of the Guyana Police Force are in the communities and are making efforts to bring calm to the situation.

The Minister said that he recognized that due to the gruesome murder of the two teenagers, it would spark protest. However, he pointed out that blocking and burning of roads and causing harm to others will not solve the issue.

Commissioner of Police (ag) Nigel Hoppie said that thus far, three persons have been arrested in relation to the murder and are assisting with the investigation. He also gave assurance that leads will be followed and no stone will be left unturned.