IAC 'deplores' treatment of AG by UG students
Guyana Chronicle
October 25, 2003
The Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) has expressed what is says is its "profound shock and deep dismay at the disgraceful behaviour of an uncouth group of University of Guyana students, who in a display of conduct unbecoming of this nation's young intellectuals, verbally assaulted, insulted and completely disrespected Sri Doodnauth Singh S.C., Attorney-General and Minister of Justice."
The Attorney General was a special invitee of the University Of Guyana Hindu Society (UGHS) at that organization's annual Diwali Cultural Programme and Rangoli Competition on Thursday.
A statement says IAC members were present when the Attorney-General, who was viewing the Rangoli patterns, attempted to persuade a group of UG students to cease playing a basketball game on the "tarmac", which was reserved by UGHS for the Rangoli Competition, and which was cordoned off to prevent vehicles from being parked there and to prevent the occurrence of sporting activities of any type while the Rangoli Competition was taking place.
"The basketball game was in progress in the restricted area while the Rangoli patterns were being prepared and despite attempts by UGHS members to peacefully persuade the basketballers to remove themselves from the area their pleas fell on deaf ears and basketballers were observed jumping over the Rangoli patterns in pursuit of the basketball while UGHS members and bystanders had to take evasive action during these incidents," the IAC said yesterday.
"IAC members observed also that during the preparation of the Rangoli patterns and the playing of the basketball game there were no security personnel near the restricted area.
"IAC members were present when Sri Doodnauth Singh, on the request of the UGHS, asked the basketballers to cease playing and in return received a torrent of verbal abuse from the UG students during which his office was insulted.
"IAC blames this unfortunate incident on the University of Guyana administration, which failed to ensure that proper security measures were put in place for the Rangoli Competition."