Gya: Channa bomb sparks call for Gajraj death squad investigation

The Working People's Alliance (WPA) has condemned Sunday's arson attack on the Ministry of Home Affairs and is calling for an impartial and independent investigation into all violence that has beset the country in recent times.

In a statement, the WPA said allegations and reports in the media range from suggestions of the channa bombing being a self-inflicted action to direct blame on the opposition. The statement said however, that the act shows the extent to which violence has replaced civility and the rule of law as the norm in Guyana.

The WPA reiterated in particular its calls for an immediate investigation into the allegations of the existence of the death squads and the alleged involvement of the Minister of Home Affairs in criminal acts.

According to the WPA, the government and ruling party have a constitutional duty to take the lead in this area. The party noted too that they have a moral duty since their own members have been implicated.

For the non-Caribbean reader, "channa" is the "chick peas." When soaked in an accelerant, they can make a pretty effective bomb because channa rolls and can get into nooks and crannies, thus the fire can be spread quickly and is harder to fight.