Presidential visit to West Berbice aborted; security vehicle attacked

A damaged security vehicle attached to the presidential pool

A planned visit by President Irfaan Ali and a team to West Berbice has been aborted for security reasons after one of the vehicles which form part of the president’s advance team was damaged by protestors.

BIG Smith News Watch has been informed that one of the sweep cars which is usually sent ahead of the convoy of vehicles carrying the president had missiles hurled at it and which caused minor damage to the vehicle.

Protestors have intensified their actions over the last few hours as the country awaits the police completion of the probe into the murders of Joel and Isaiah henry of No.3 Village Corentyne.

“The president wants to visit with them urgently and badly but he really cannot because while some may allow free passage, others may act instinctively which could result in reactions and outcomes that would not augur well for the current situation since his security detail has a responsibility to protect him as Head of State” BIG Smith News Watch was told by a senior law enforcement officer.

We were told that the President has however been in phone contact with the relatives of the boys and have assured them that the government does not support unlawful acts of any kind and that in this case, those who brutally murdered the young teenagers will be brought to justice in the swiftest manner.

At the moment there are seven persons in custody who the police detectives have picked up for questioning in relation to the murders of Joel and Isaiah.

Those persons have been identified as the owner of the coconut estate, his son, a handyman, a coconut vendor and three workers who are employed by the operators of the coconut estate.

The protest actions along the West Coast Berbice saw the situation being move from a law enforcement operation to joint services one inclusive of the army, police and fire department.

Persons who have been attempting to pass the protest routes have been attacked and injured while property including vehicles have been damaged and set on fire.