But the People's Progressive Party (PPP) accused the Opposition party of seeking to neutralise the crime fighting capacity of the Police and said its recent actions are threatening to disrupt peace and stability in the country.

At a news conference at its headquarters in Georgetown, the PNC/R called on all citizens to provide the Police with any information and support which can lead to the capture of the escapees and their accomplices.

PNC/R Chairman, Mr. Robert Corbin said his party "expects the increasing lawlessness and banditry which has descended on the nation will cause the Police to focus in a professional and determined manner on the need to capture the perpetrators and bring them to justice."

He said his party wished to make it abundantly clear that it is "on the side of law and order", adding that its Congress Place headquarters "will never be a safe haven for criminals and wrongdoers".

He claimed that the governing People's Progressive Party/Civic's (PPP/C) "blatant disregard for the rule of law...has created this fertile environment for lawlessness and crime".

But in a statement, the PPP said it has taken note of moves by the PNC/R to once again take to the streets. It said that while it recognises the democratic right of the PNC/R to engage in protests "it considers appropriate", it is not "unmindful of the potential for violence which such actions can engender."

"It is no secret that the atmosphere of fear and insecurity created by the street protests would be used by those with criminal propensities to hijack vehicles, rob and molest innocent citizens. In addition, they drive fear into the business community resulting in the closure of business operations and disrupt the education system as students are left in a state of panic", the PPP said.

The PNC/R organised a protest march in the city Tuesday against the death of Shaka Blair, 33, who Police said was shot after he resisted arrest at his Buxton, East Coast Demerara home. The Opposition party also plans another street protest in Georgetown today.

However, the PPP argued that the PNC/R by abandoning the dialogue process with President Bharrat Jagdeo and taking recourse to the streets, is "once again threatening to disrupt the peace and stability which the country enjoyed over the past months."

It said what was more disturbing were the "dangerous signals the PNC/R has been sending out in the recent past to criminal elements and those with criminal proclivity to the effect that they can count on the support of the PNC/R in any confrontation with the security forces."

"By labelling almost every Police action against known and hardened criminals as 'extra-judicial', the PNC/R wittingly or unwittingly is putting a premium on such acts of banditry", the PPP stated.

It said the PNC/R is aware of the recourse available to those who feel aggrieved, but insists on ignoring due process.

It argued that the "adoption" by the PNC/R of Blair was an attempt by that party to impute political motive to the killing and said this was "not only preposterous but an act of desperation to redeem itself from a dreadful past."

The PPP accused the PNC/R of contradicting itself pointing out that a delegation from its Central Executive Monday met the Home Affairs Minister and the Commissioner of Police and presented proposals for consideration. On the following day another faction of the PNC/R leadership issued an ultimatum for the scrapping of the Police special anti-crime unit which contradicted the proposals made on Monday, it pointed out.

The PPP also expressed concerns about the willful damage to public property and attack on citizens by organised protesters in Buxton.

It again called on the PNC/R "to allow good sense to prevail in the interest of peace and harmony."