The group of about 100, protesting the electricity and water shortage in the town, moved through the streets from mid-morning, setting up roadblocks with huge planks, tyres, car parts and other obstacles.

They also rolled a huge iron tank into one of the side streets and toppled the toll booth, property of the Linden Town Council, at which tolls are collected from trucks passing through Linden.

Witnesses said a group of men rocked the toll booth several times, sending its occupants - three female toll collectors - running out of it for safety. They said that as the terrified women fled, the protesters with a loud shout flipped the booth over, sending it crashing upside down on the road.

The protesters then took up position at the Wismar bridge, where two tents were put up, and kept vigil playing dominoes, cards, music and holding debates. They also cooked on the bridge which was taken over at 11:00 hrs Friday.

Ferry boat operators were forced to stop trips across the Demerara River but several small boats offered to take persons across at $40 and $60 a person instead of the usual $20.

Meanwhile, a smaller group of about dozen young men assembled at the Karakara bridge, on the highway entrance to Linden, which was blocked with huge planks, tyres, and the chassis of a trailer on its side.

Buses from Georgetown were forced to stop at the bridge and passengers had to disembark, make their way across the obstacles on the bridge and trek the one mile into the town.

Due to the protest action, travel to and from Omai, Barama, Aroaima, Lethem and Mahdia has come to a halt. Business firms also affected include Toolsie Persaud, Demerara Timbers and private loggers.