David Hinds pleads with Buxton gunmen Lay down your arms
by Michael Jordan
Kaieteur News
January 1, 2005
In the wake of the Christmas Day execution of contractor Troy Phillips, outspoken politician David Hinds is pleading with gunmen who have his village under siege, to lay down their arms.
He has also thrown out a challenge to the ruling party, the Opposition and African leaders in society help to restore peace to the village.
“I am pleading with the gunmen to put an end to this killing.”
Hinds, who is a Buxtonian, made his plea during an interview with Kaieteur News on Thursday.
“I am pleading with the young men who have guns…they are destroying our birthright and future.
“For the safety of everyone, we cannot let this continue. It will destroy everyone,” he added.
He also believes that prominent African Guyanese should do their part to bring stability to the village.
Hinds suggested that the hierarchy of the Guyana Police Force should attempt to have dialogue with the persons behind the mayhem that has affected Buxton and other East Demerara villages.
More than 50 people, including eight policemen, have been murdered or killed by the armed forces in the twin villages of Buxton/Friendship between April 2002 and October 2003.
At least 13 people, including two policemen, were slain in the villages between April 6 and December 12, 2002.
Twenty-nine people, including four police ranks, were killed between January 8 th and December 1, 2003.
A further eight, among them two policemen, were killed between May 4 and October 19, 2004.
“When this first started, we thought that the people would take back the village (from the criminals). But you can't take back the village from gunmen.”
Hinds and other overseas-based Buxtonians are concerned that organisations willing to improve the village will stay away, if the violence continues.
Officials from Jay Bee Medical Services International are attempting to build a fully-equipped health centre in Buxton to provide a service, not only to Buxtonians but also to other communities.
The workers attached to the group were forced to suspend construction after Troy Phillips, a contractor they had employed, was slain by gunmen.
At least one U.S physician is already in Guyana to participate in the project, but Jay Bee officials are now unwilling to risk taking her to Buxton.
The group's Chief Financial Officer, George Abrams, said he had come to Guyana to carry out a feeding project for the elderly in Buxton.
He said the programme will continue, despite the execution of Phillips.