The funeral ceremony for former President Desmond Hoyte was marred by the behaviour of the crowd outside Parliament buildings. It seemed at one stage when the cortege with the late president’s body arrived and could not enter the forecourt because of the crowd massed at the gate, despite the urgings of the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the People’s National Congress Reform and other officials, that the ceremony might be delayed indefinitely or that the crowd might invade the premises with incalculable consequences. Eventually the gate was gradually opened but despite the best efforts of the police, admirably led by Deputy Commissioner Felix, a number of persons burst through the gate and had to be accommodated on the premises.
Throughout the ceremony the crowd was restless and at any mention of the name of President Jagdeo there was booing. Eventually, when the President had to speak there was a loud outcry which was sustained throughout his speech so it could hardly be heard by those present. Moreover, a fairly large placard was hoisted up at the gate which referred to corruption and a young man who mounted the gate used a branch of a tree to deflower a cup with a hole in it in a most vigorous and obscene manner.
It was a traumatic experience for all present and in particular, one suspects, for Mrs Joyce Hoyte and her relatives. Senior officials of the party were also visibly embarrassed at this untimely intrusion into a programme that had been carefully planned, with the full support of the government. The fact that there was a placard on hand as well as certain other items suggests that there had been some degree of planning and orchestration.
The subsequent procession to Seven Ponds and the burial were also marred by an unruly crowd which broke down the barriers at the Seven Ponds and ended up surrounding the grave. Mrs Hoyte, in visible distress, eventually asked that the proceedings, already hours late, be curtailed.
One is tempted to say that at least parts of the country have become ungovernable and that the anarchy that has been evident in some areas for some time including the broadcast media is eventually bearing fruit. The disruption of a state funeral for a President who enjoyed the support of the urban masses is bizarre. Is it that there can be no compromise of any kind with the ruling party, which as the leader of the People’s National Congress/Reform Mr Robert Corbin noted had offered its cooperation since the death of Mr Hoyte, even on such a solemn occasion, as a letter from Mr Roger Moore in this issue suggests?
The crowd behaviour overwhelmed everything else which is a pity as President Jagdeo and Mr Corbin both made conciliatory speeches which held out some hope for a resumption of discussions between the parties. The PNCR has put a proposal for more inclusive governance on the table and the occasion could otherwise have provided a fillip for this.