Chairman of the Joint Services Co-ordinating Council (JSCC), Brigadier Michael Atherly has expressed concern that rumours are creating fears and he has issued a call to the population not to be distracted from the upcoming emancipation day activities.
Brigadier Atherly, also Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), made the call in a press release yesterday which described the August 1 holiday as a historic and important event on the Guyanese calendar. He also noted that as a result of the rumours some Guyanese who were scheduled to return home to attend commemorative events had unfortunately cancelled their plans.
Earlier this week, several reports were carried in the Kaieteur News to the effect that the government was concerned that there might be a coup attempt in the coming days, that the army was preparing to heighten security patrols as a result and that there were fears that an item stolen from the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) could be used for making explosives.
GDF Public Relations Officer Hubert Meusa on Monday told Stabroek News that an Associated Press (AP) report carried in the Kaieteur News was inaccurate and the army had received no report of a coup attempt. GUYSUCO also issued a press release stating that a small quantity of an herbicide - not fertiliser as alleged in the AP report - had been stolen from its La Bonne Intention bond. GUYSUCO added that the herbicide does not have the potential to make explosives.
Atherly in his capacity as Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) also disclosed that as Operation Tourniquet continues, counter-crime operations over the holiday period would be intensified. He further appealed to citizens to exercise tolerance as these operations were likely to cause delays and some amount of inconvenience.
The GDF head stated that his force was fully prepared to support the Guyana Police Force and other Disciplined Services in the maintenance of law and order.
He was quoted in the release as saying, "As a matter of fact part of the tripartite role of the GDF is to assist the civil authorities in the maintenance of law and order when requested to do so."
The JSCC chairman also reiterated that if it became necessary on August 1, the GDF was prepared and ready to deal with any eventuality in support of the civil authorities.
Further, Atherly encouraged citizens to come out and celebrate fully the activities planned to commemorate Emancipation day. He however, at the same time appealed to those celebrating to do so in a peaceful and law-abiding manner and cautioned persons to avoid excesses in their celebrations and to reject any attempts by criminal elements to create disorder.
He further appealed to civil society and called on all national agencies to support the Joint Services in maintaining the peace and said he looked forward to the co-operation of all citizens.
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 celebrations.