Feel free to go about legitimate activities today
-Home Affairs Ministry
Stabroek News
October 9, 2002
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The Ministry of Home Affairs has condemned what it described as "any attempt to create fear in our society by certain unknown individuals in their bid to mobilise support" for today's planned shutdown of the city.

The government is opposed to the shutdown.

A release from the ministry yesterday

reported that a number of parents, business owners and members of the public had contacted it enquiring about their safety and security following the call for a day of closure by sections of the business community and political groups.

It said any moves to intimidate parents, children and business owners are reprehensible and only serve to aggravate the current situation. The release from the ministry said that individuals engaged in spreading fear and intimidation must cease such counterproductive activities.

Security arrangements have been put in place by the Guyana Police Force, the release said, and the ministry wishes to reassure members of the public that they can feel free to carry out their regular activities today.

Send your children to school
-Education Ministry tells parents

The Ministry of Education is urging parents to ensure that they send their children to school and advises them from being misled by those wishing to pursue their own agendas.

A ministry press release yesterday expressed concern over attempts by some unidentified groups urging parents and guardians to keep their children away from school today and tomorrow in support of a planned shutdown of the country over the crime wave.

The release said there had been reports that local television channels in Region Two and Region Six have been carrying paid advertisements calling on parents/guardians to keep their children at home in a show of solidarity with the organisers of the protest action planned for the next two days.

Noting that the ministry has taken a serious view of attempts to disrupt the school system, the release said that action such as this is "counterproductive and is certainly not in the best interest of our children. Especially coming at a time when the performance level of our students has been showing consistent improvements both at local and overseas examinations."