The two protesters who were shot and killed after invading the Office of the President complex last week Wednesday will be buried today.
But the police yesterday turned down a request by the main opposition People's National Congress REFORM (PNC/R) to use the Square of the Revolution for the viewing of the bodies.
In a release yesterday, the police said the party had applied for permission to use the Square, but "in [the] light of recent incidents, and other considerations, the force considers it imprudent to allow such an activity and has denied permission for the bodies to be viewed at the Square."
The police said they expected that the organisers would comply with the directive and ensure that the funeral procession was conducted in an orderly and peaceful manner.
"We wish to advise those taking part in the procession to walk three abreast and avoid causing any inconvenience or harm to other commuters. Our concerns stem from our experiences with two recent funerals that took place at Buxton where violence ensued and persons were beaten and robbed. It is the expectation of the force that good sense will prevail."
The police were heavily criticised for allowing an illegal march to enter the city on July 3rd. That march descended into pandemonium and the deaths at OP. It was also followed by looting and arson on Regent Street.