In a statement yesterday, Atherly, also Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), noted that thousands attended the funeral and during the procession the situation became disorderly.

In the statement from Defence Headquarters, he praised members of the Police Force for "the professional and efficient manner in which they were able to bring the crowd under control without further escalation of violence."

He noted that the tactical conduct of the Police operations conformed with the principles of minimum force and restraint necessary under the prevailing conditions and this helped to defuse a "potentially explosive situation", the statement said.

Referring to the request for the deployment of members of the GDF at Buxton, Atherly said that by the time the soldiers arrived at the village, the Police had already taken control of the situation.

"The GDF then in collaboration with Police ranks assisted in restoring the normal flow of traffic on the East Coast Highway", the statement said.

The JSCC Chairman, while reviewing the events following the death of Blair two Saturdays ago, acknowledged the efforts of the community and civil leaders in encouraging residents of the area to have their concerns resolved in a responsible and peaceful manner.

"The leaders had earlier issued a call to residents to desist from engaging in acts of violence, which might cause injury to innocent passersby", the statement said.

Atherly urged that the restoration of normalcy to the area must include the return of the free flow of traffic on the Railway Embankment road.

Following the death of Blair, protesters dug a deep ditch across the road at Buxton, preventing traffic from passing there since.

According to the statement, in reviewing the recent spate of violent criminal activities in the country, which seems to be inter-related, the head of the JSCC felt that a coordinated and pluralistic strategy needs to be endorsed by all stakeholders in civil society.

He added that the GDF remains committed to fulfilling its role in support of the civil authority in the maintenance of the law and order.

Following the upsurge of violence during the funeral procession Monday afternoon, Police yesterday reported that the village was "relatively quiet, with peace and order eventually restored, especially along the main road where vehicular traffic is proceeding freely".

Temporary repairs were done by the Police late Tuesday night on two parts of the road dug up by persons and Police mobile patrols were being maintained in the area yesterday.

In efforts to assist citizens who were stranded at the East Coast park and other points in the city Monday night, the Government organised State and private sector vehicles to provide transportation, a spokesman said.

Vehicles used included trucks and buses, the official said.

Police said they were fired at and had bottles and objects hurled at them at Buxton Monday, resulting in a confrontation in which two persons were wounded by pellets.

Blair, who Police said was shot dead after he resisted arrest at his Buxton home, was buried following a procession organised through some streets of Georgetown and along the main East Coast Demerara highway to Buxton by the main Opposition People's National Congress Reform (PNC/R).

Police said there were several incidents of criminal activities, including sporadic gunfire.

At about 16:45 hrs, a hostile crowd of about 300 persons approached the Police barriers at Bush Dam and a person or persons fired back at the Police after they had issued warning shots.

The Police fired back, and in the confrontation, George Sampson and Donald Primo were wounded with pellets and rushed to the Georgetown Hospital. They were treated at the hospital and sent home, according to reports.

A group of persons from the crowd also dug two ditches on the Friendship road.

Traffic was brought to a standstill for several hours because of the violent incidents.

Police yesterday said they are maintaining a "watchful eye" over the general situation and all efforts were being implemented to ensure the safety and wellbeing of commuters and the general public.