Latest update March 28th, 2024 12:59 AM
Nov 30, 2008 Features / Columnists
The Parrot like millions of others across the globe watched in horror as the events in Mumbai unfolded last week. Brazen gunmen, who apparently were well trained, stormed various entities within the city killing over one hundred and fifty people and injuring hundreds of others. Two major hotels which were among the targets were under siege for days as some of the gunmen held many hostage. This attack while not inconceivable (nothing seems so since 9/11), would have been unexpected.
Who, among those who perished and were injured, would have conceived that, while executing routine procedures or simply relaxing, moments later they would have met their maker or be under the scalpel of a surgeon? People want to live without having to “look over their shoulders” as it relates to crime. If they have to keep “looking” then there is no joy to be had from relaxing at a luxurious hotel, as in the case of the Taj and the Oberoi in Mumbai. I am sure that if that were the case, then many would not have been relaxing nor doing business at these hotels.
India had encountered acts of terrorism before and like other places including Bali, England, Spain and the USA, they would have moved on after such attacks; confidence would have returned. This confidence is a product of the actions of the security forces in the places mentioned. Following 9/11, many stringent security measures were implemented by the USA, including strip searching of people. Restrictions were imposed on what one could take when travelling in an aircraft; no liquids, even baby formula were subjected to these measures. Wire tapping intensified and many with Islamic persuasion were “profiled”. Yes, this happened in the USA and continues to in many regards.
I am certain that similar measures to repel and reduce acts of terrorism are now being enforced in the other places mentioned. What is essential is the ability to sustain such implementations. The attacks in Mumbai are still being investigated and despite any security agency planning strategies to prevent acts of terror, it is difficult to prevent random acts whereby a gunman or gunmen would indiscriminately open fire on peaceful and law abiding citizens. In these circumstances it is impossible not to have fatalities and for panic not to spread. What must be certain is the implementation of related measures to prevent a repeat.
In Guyana we have had our bouts with acts of terror which, in recent time, began with the 2002 Camp Street jailbreak and the reign of terror which followed including the massacres at Lusignan and Bartica. Guyanese would not want to envisage a repeat of these horrific incidents. By extension, the USA would work assiduously to ensure that an act like 9/11 would not ever be repeated; the same for England, Bali (Indonesia), Spain, India and all other places that unfortunately experienced terrorism. Terrorism in all forms must be condemned, and efforts by governments and security agencies must be supported. Guyana is no different.
This brings me to the continuous cries of the main opposition with regards to criminals. In almost every case in which people are held during investigations to heinous crimes perpetrated on innocent Guyanese, the welfare of the criminals takes precedence over the victims. The same position is taken by the Human Rights body. Much has been said about this, to the point where the ordinary man who suffered directly and indirectly as a result of these crimes, simply ignore the comments of the main opposition and its associate groups. These groups find all sorts of reasons to vilify the efforts of government and law enforcement agencies to curb crime.
I recall “Blackie’s” funeral when his coffin was draped with our flag. I recall the “Freedom Fighters” who besieged the village of Buxton. I recall these groups’ recent position on torture and wire tapping.
While torture should not be condoned, law enforcement must have mechanisms in place to garner information. On wire tapping, what are they afraid of? These same people who complained, those in the opposition that is, don’t complain when they are subjected, like other travellers, to rigorous searches and all other security measures in place by other countries. They don’t complain when, whilst overseas, and are using land phones that it may be tapped. Why not complain abroad but complain here when their own were terrorised by merciless bandits? What are the reasons? They should be made to answer at their weekly pressers.
The recent events in India highlight the need for strong measures to be implemented to prevent crime internationally and here in Guyana. In this regard, here, government and law enforcement agencies must not be distracted by the vain fancies of the main opposition and their cohorts in their seemingly tacit support to perpetrators.
While there is always room for improvement, our law enforcement personnel have done well in repelling the advances of the criminals. Confidence has returned following the recent successes of the joint services. These men and women, law enforcement that is, stand between civility and anarchy and must be supported. After all, we have seen what terror is. Squawk! Squawk!
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
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