Brigadier Atherly, who chairs the Joint Services Coordinating Committee, said that as the Army’s Operation Tourniquet continues, counter crime operations over the holiday period would be intensified. He appealed to citizens to exercise tolerance, as these operations are likely to cause delays and some amount of inconvenience.

Police Commissioner (Acting) Mr. Floyd McDonald told the Chronicle yesterday that the Police Force is very much aware of the rumour about a coup planned for August 1, and said that “adequate arrangements” are being put in place to prevent such an eventuality.

Director of Prisons, Mr. Dale Erskine said he is aware of the rumour that opposition forces are planning to free the Camp Street prisoners and said prison authorities stand ready to do all within their capability to prevent that from happening.

Army spokesperson, Major Hubert Musa said that the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) is conscious of the rumours, but said it has no concrete evidence about the likely attack.

However, he said that the Army is always on the alert and will respond appropriately should any of the rumours show signs of materialising.

Brigadier Atherly said that the Guyana Defence Force is fully prepared to support the Guyana Police Force and other disciplined forces in the maintenance of law and order.

In a statement, Atherly said that the rumours are creating fear in the minds of the civil population, and that some Guyanese, who were scheduled to return home to attend Emancipation Day activities, have cancelled their plans.

Tomorrow, a national holiday, African Guyanese will mark 168 years since their freedom from slavery.

Atherly said that if it became necessary, the GDF is prepared and ready to deal with “any eventuality” in support of the civil authorities.

“All citizens are asked to be alert and ever vigilant of their surroundings to help to promote the desired national security situation required at this time of national celebration,” Atherly said.

On July 3, opposition forces led a group of illegal protestors to storm the Office of the President. Two of the protestors were shot dead. The Government said the motive then was to overthrow the elected administration headed by President Bharrat Jagdeo.

Mark Benschop and Phillip Bynoe have been charged with treason for the incident. Benschop is on remand in the Camp Street jail, but the Police are yet to get their hands on Bynoe.

Guyanese have become uneasy since February 23 when five dangerous men, who were remanded on charges of murder and other serious offences, broke out of the Camp Street jail, killing a young Prison Officer and severely wounding another.

Since then, eight Policemen have been gunned down and five businessmen have been murdered.

When it seemed that the Police were at the losing end of the line, Quame Pindleton, one of the men wanted for the murder of a Policeman was killed, along with Buxtonian Leroy Lowe in a Police shootout last Thursday.

The Government has more than once labelled the opposition with being aligned to criminals and has more than once said criminal activities since February 23 have been politically motivated.

The Office of the President said that the July 3 invasion of the Presidential Complex was an attempt to assassinate President Jagdeo and to remove the elected People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) from the seat of governance.