Operation Saline Solution II has failed thus far. What was supposed to be an upgraded effort by the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force to combat the crime wave engulfing the nation has not had any impact on the marauding gangs of bicycle-borne, gun-wielding killers and bandits coming from the Buxton/Friendship area. As a matter of fact, in the last few days there has been an intensification of attacks on householders on the East Coast without the police and the army being able to mount an effective response.
One man, Jainarine Singh, died from the wound he received when bandits fired on Friday at a group of men after robbing an Annandale shop. It was an attack typical of those which have plagued Annandale and nearby villages since the start of this vicious campaign of robbery and murder last year. In the most recent incidents, householders of modest means have been robbed of their hard-earned possessions. The report in the Sunday Stabroek yesterday of the depredations of a gang of youths in Vigilance is required reading for the government, the police, the army and all those who have some responsibility for protecting citizens. Kidnappings and extortion have also made a comeback on the East Coast and there is the yet unresolved abduction of carpenter Heeraman Sahadeo who has been missing since early December.
Guyanese are tired and alarmed at these continuing attacks and the impotence of the government and the law enforcement services. What should be done?
The government must show more determination and competence in dealing with this problem. Over the last year, it has talked a lot about tackling crime but as the government of the day has failed to act decisively. A large amount of money has been allocated to the police force to prepare it to take on the criminals but the government has not done enough to ensure that the police and the army take concerted, sustained and intelligence-led action to bring the situation under control. The continued rampage of the criminals is the proof of the government’s failure and ultimately it must take the blame and must also be responsible for returning the situation to some normalcy.
Where the police force is concerned an enormous amount of sympathy has to be felt for it. Sixteen of its number has been gunned down mercilessly since the February 23 jail-break, a little under 11 months ago. It has bled profusely at the hands of the criminals and still faces a great challenge. It must re-invent itself by shedding the image of a force of brutality and extra-judicial killings while at the same time firmly taking on the criminals. In the middle of a crime war it is difficult to change this image but it must if it is to win the support of crucial sections of the public in this campaign.
As for Operation Saline Solution II, one doesn’t have to be a military analyst of repute to discern the clear gaps in its planning. Moreover, it must now be apparent to its architects that simply patrolling the roads and entrances to the villages is not enough. Youths on bicycles have made a mockery of this. The police and army must be in the problem areas of Buxton/Friendship on a permanent basis until these attacks end. They must be able to apprehend and prosecute those who have been known to be involved. They must be able to take control of Buxghanistan - areas where the known criminals frequent and find safe haven. They must be able to intercept groups planning these attacks. They must be able to engage in hot pursuit of bicycle gangs for instance. In many cases the cycle bandits coolly canter away without a care in the world. The police and the army must also rid these areas of the large number of illegal firearms. They must also boost their intelligence capabilities on the ground. Simply standing around and patrolling aimlessly will not succeed in stopping the criminals. It is a tall order. It is their task and duty.
No consideration of the crime problem would be complete without reference to the main opposition PNCR. Last week its interim leader complained about the brute force employed by the police at the start of Saline Solution II and requested a meeting with the Top Cop to address what he said was an extremely volatile situation. This meeting was duly held and quite admirably the PNCR announced its support for the police’s anti-crime operations once conducted in a lawful manner.
The PNCR did well to represent the concerns of its constituents in Buxton. What it must now do is heed the concerns that the rest of the country have about Buxton namely that it has become host to the crime network which had laid siege to communities like Annandale. As the only organization which can visit Buxton without major worries over security, it is incumbent upon the PNCR to embark on a campaign in that village and adjoining areas to admonish its supporters not to provide succour for criminals and to work with the police and the army to free the country of this scourge. As a national party and one that claims support from all over Guyana, this is its obligation.