This was confirmed by Mr. Robert Persaud, Information Liaison to the President who said that the meeting discussed the tragedy and appropriate and adequate responses by the security forces.

He said that the President was "deeply concerned about last night's shootings" and is expected to meet again with the security chiefs.

Persaud wondered whether it was a coincidence that the senseless killings came shortly after statements on TV talk shows calling for the death of public and security officials, as well as "violent remarks" at an opposition-organised forum on the anti-crime legislation tabled in Parliament.

He asked if the Opposition PNC/R, the Guyana Bar Association and Mr. Ravi Dev of ROAR would still be only concerned about the human rights of criminals and ignore the safety and security of law-abiding citizens in the context of their opposition to the anti-crime bills.