One has to have a heart of steel not to have been emotionally moved while the pensioner was recounting the tale of woes that befell herself and her family, a very poor family who eke out a living on a day-to-day basis.

It is abominable and beyond all norms of civilised human behaviour when an old and sick woman who suffers from a stroke and cannot move around without a walking aid can be attacked in this way.

We cannot help but ask what manner of beings are these attackers.

Don't they have relatives -- mothers, sisters, aunts, grandmothers etc.? Are they known only to themselves and by themselves?

We recall that it was as recent as January 9 this year while on a visit to Annandale, which lies on the periphery of Buxton, by Home Affairs Minister, Mr. Ronald Gajraj, Agriculture Minister, Mr. Navin Chandarpal and Information Liaison to the President, Mr. Robert Persaud, that the Minister of Home Affairs told the people that policing groups in Annandale will be given additional assistance by the Police and other law enforcement agencies.

Since it is perceived that Annandale has been facing many attacks by criminals sheltering in Buxton, residents there should take serious note of the minister's statement and get themselves involved in community policing to support the efforts of the law enforcement agencies in maintaining law and order and protecting the village from these rampages.

Most Guyanese feel they should get into the groups, even if it means to protect only the older residents like the sick, old lady who was robbed of $400 in the Annandale attack this week.

Every Guyanese has the right to live peacefully in any part of this country. It could be neighbouring Better Hope. It could be neighbouring Leonora. It could be neighbouring Port Mourant. It could be neighbouring Buxton. It could be neighbouring Friendship or Enterprise.

Guyanese have the right to live and move freely anytime and anywhere throughout the length and breadth of this country without fear and hindrance.