No justification for attack on presidential complex -GYO
"Whatever grievances persons may have ... there can be no justification for this abhorrent course of action...since ...the prime objective seemed to be to overthrow the duly elected government."

So said a statement from the Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) with reference to the post-march mayhem of July 3, in which two lives were lost during the storming of the Office of the President, and two Regent street stores were gutted by fire.

The organisation called on whoever was behind the July 3rd events to discontinue "fomenting unrest". Instead, according to the GYO, "there should be an immediate resumption of dialogue between the political parties... [to arrive] at viable solutions and address any legitimate concerns the Opposition ...may have". To this end, the organisation called on the PNC/R to return to Parliament, thus restoring normalcy.

The statement said the GYO is "appalled at the ...violence mainly against Indo-Guyanese [which] has continued over a long period of time".

The organisation said that this could result in retaliation by this group, degenerating into chaos. The GYO called on the Government to take the needed steps to protect citizens so as to avoid them taking the law into their own hands.

Trades Union Congress calls for formal inquiry into July 3 events
The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) has described the events of July 3, as "irresponsible and reprehensible". The post-march mayhem on July 3 resulted in the loss of two lives during the storming of the Office of the President and two Regent street stores being destroyed by fire.

The GTUC, in a recent statement, expressed abhorrence at the escalation of lawlessness and noted that the moral fabric of society continues to deteriorate.

The GTUC called in the statement for "the establishment of a broad-based commission of enquiry ...to investigate the circumstances which led to the constant demonstrations in the city, and more specifically, the illegal occupation of the Office of the President complex that ...resulted in persons losing their lives".

The GTUC also noted that while condemnation was necessary, it should not be selective, nor "should it redound to our abdicating our responsibility of determining the reasons that may have led to the incident(s) and to resolve to address same". This, the GTUC determined, is the way forward and requires the embracing of all leaders of society.

Public service union calls for inquiry into July 3 incidents
The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) is calling on President Bharrat Jagdeo to appoint a Commission of Inquiry into the incident of July 3 when two protestors were shot dead after an unruly band invaded the presidential complex.

According to a copy of a letter addressed to President Jagdeo and signed by the union's acting general secretary, Surendra Persaud, the GPSU contended that what occurred was "so grave, and its consequences so far reaching, that it necessitates the use of your powers under Section 2 of the Commission of Inquiry Act, Chapter 19:03 of the Laws of Guyana, to ascertain the facts, thus separating fact from fiction."

The letter said further that the executive council of the union is of the firm view that "the 'invasion' of your Secretariat is of greater constitutional significance than the escape from the Georgetown Prison which had necessitated the appointment of a Commission of Inquiry, hence the importance of our request."

The GPSU also expressed its condemnation of the storming of the presidential complex when protestors ransacked offices and threatened staff just hours before CARICOM heads were to open a meeting in Georgetown.

Hindu body outraged over march violence
The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha is calling on all organisations and the leadership of all communities to unreservedly adopt non-violence and to enjoin their supporters to live by the rule of law.

The Hindu body said in a press release that "Now is the time for everyone to sound their voices against the forces that seek to destroy our society."

The religious organisation also expressed support of "the call by so many for the resumption of the dialogue," while praying that peace and stability would return to the country.

The Dharmic Sabha, while joining in the condemnation of the invasion of the Office of the President, and acts of violence against law abiding citizens, it also denounced "the violence and ignominy that continues to be perpetrated on Guyanese Indians," who it said are clearly targeted.

The release stated that on July 3 along the route of the illegal march that culminated in the storming of the Office of the President, Indians were beaten, robbed and terrorised.

And after this, the release said, "The onslaught on Guyanese Indians continued with the looting and burning of two businesses on Regent Street and the beating and robbing of scores of innocent Indians on the streets of Georgetown and the villages of the East Coast Demerara."

The Dharmic Sabha said that it remains faithful to the guiding Hindu principles of non-violence and tolerance for diversity.

The Hindu body also expressed confidence that its membership and the community it speaks for have been abiding by the rule of law, democracy and coexistence across differences.

"We are therefore appalled that the Indian community, from among whom we derive our membership and support, continues to be the target for the kinds of outrage and victimisation we have been witnessing," the release said.

"All unlawful actions perpetrated against persons pursuing their legitimate business must come to an end," the Dharmic Sabha declared.

According to the release, the Dharmic Sabha is contending that the "forces arrayed to unseat a democratically elected government have abandoned all pretences and have revealed themselves as utterly depraved and as forces of anarchy."