GINA -- There are claims of tension between residents of Enterprise and Bare Root villages on the East Coast Demerara after an altercation there led to one man sustaining injuries.
The attack stemmed from remarks made by Terrence Gulliver, a farmer and a resident of Bare Root who had gone into a shop in Enterprise to make a purchase.
Gulliver's remark pertaining to kidnapped taxi driver Vicknandan Nadalall apparently annoyed one of Nandallal's uncle who allegedly attacked Gulliver.
The incident sparked some protest by a few residents of Bare Root.
Today, the Government Information Agency visited both communities to speak with residents about their relationship with each other.
In the Enterprise Market, a vendor who has lived in Enterprise all his life said, "The relationship between Enterprise and Bear Root is very nice and we are very cooperative and these kind of things. We have heard of the kidnapping (Nandalall) but the problem (altercation) is not a major one."
A farmer from Bare Root village disclosed, "the residents of Enterprise and Bear Root they very friendly towards each other, because the residents of Bare Root support the shops in Enterprise. There is a good relationship."
Many residents of the Bare Root village usually purchase their produce in Enterprise and there is also the Enterprise Primary School attended by children from both villages.
"Enterprise and Bear Root don't really have problems. People from both villages would interact with each other. And that incident that occurred was nothing much," said Neam, a resident of Enterprise.
"I am the Community Development Council (CDC) Chairman of Bear Root and I have no problem with residents of Enterprise because most of our shopping is done there. So we have no conflict with the people of Enterprise," said Negla Garraway.
Colin Stewart who is a part of the Bare Root/Enterprise cricket team said that he is a friend of Nandalall, and the relationship between the two villages is okay.
Residents from both villages said that they hope the good relations will continue.