-decries political victimization
Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed yesterday said that members of the Guyana Police Force are being transferred and victimized for carrying out their duties professionally and refusing to take what he described as “political instructions.”
In a video statement posted on Facebook, Mohamed said that Police Superintendent Jaganandan was recently transferred to the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) after shaking his hand during a protest at Den Amstel on July 29.
According to Mohamed, Superintendent Jaganandan approached him during the demonstration, which was being held in support of the Goods Superintendent Delon Granderson charged with murder in connection with the MV Barima tragedy, and simply requested that the protest remain peaceful.
“We shook hands and that was the extent of our interaction,” Mohamed said, adding that he was informed the officer was transferred because of that exchange.
Describing the transfer as an act of political victimization, Mohamed accused the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration of using the Guyana Police Force to carry out its political agenda.
“This is dictatorship,” he said.
Mohamed argued that the transfer sends “a dangerous message” to police officers that treating the Leader of the Opposition with professionalism and respect could result in punitive action.
He also recalled a similar incident during last year’s election campaign, where a police constable who shook his hand while he was in Mabaruma, Region One, was subsequently transferred to Moleson Creek in Region Six.
Additionally, Mohamed stated that another officer, by the name of Brathwaite, was recently transferred after being suspected of leaking information to him.
The Opposition Leader maintained that the issue is not about personal respect but respect for the constitutional office he holds.
“Whether the government respects me personally is irrelevant. I am the duly elected Leader of the Opposition of Guyana and the office I hold deserves the same respect afforded to every constitutional office,” he stated.
Mohamed accused the government of hypocrisy, pointing to criticism directed at former Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton when he declined to shake President Irfaan Ali’s hand at a public event. He argued that while government supporters insisted the Office of the President deserved respect, police officers are now allegedly being punished for extending similar courtesy to the Office of the Leader of the Opposition.
He further criticized the administration, saying ministers Juan Edghill and Deodat Indar remain in office while, according to him, police officers are being disciplined for simply performing their duties professionally.
Mohamed also stated that police ranks across the country are underpaid, overworked and subjected to poor working conditions. Referring to the recent protests in Linden, he said that officers stood in the sun for up to 12 hours without adequate food or breaks and that ranks who speak out about such conditions face victimization.
He further alleged that the Guyana Police Force is considering implementing a policy allowing officers’ mobile phones to be randomly searched to determine who they communicate with, describing it as part of what he called a broader “culture of intimidation.”
Calling for Superintendent Jaganandan to be reinstated, Mohamed urged members of the Guyana Police Force to continue carrying out their duties with professionalism and integrity while resisting political interference.
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