#guyana history

[mysticmarian]

Moongazer of Guyana

[havatabanca]

wismar massacre

Reporting on the anti-Indian violence, the media (local and international) described the 1964 Wismar Massacre as “an orchestrated orgy of violence against peaceful Indians”. Some reports quoted officials and the then British Guiana Police as saying the act was one of a “terrorist group X13 Plan”. Right after the massacre of Indians on May 26, 1964, the People’s National Congress (PNC) held its party congress in Mackenzie, that adjoins Wismar, and celebrated the victory. Making snide remarks and mocking Prime Minister Dr Cheddie Jagan and his ruling PPP party. The Opposition PNC eventually came to power in coalition with the United Force in December

Linden Forbes Burnham described May 26, 1964 as a day of victory because it was a day of defeat of Indians in Wismar-McKenzie, of running them out of the area. Not surprisingly, he renamed the place after himself, Linden. And he deliberately chose May 26 as the date for Guyana’s independence in a triumphalist mode. The opposition PPP objected. Some media reports and PPP activists stated that “May 26 was deliberately chosen as Independence Day to celebrate the expulsion of Indians from Wismar”. Dr Jagan and the PPP opposed the date. Dr. Jagan pointed out the insensitivity behind the selection of the date (when Indians were massacred), pleading on Burnham to select another date. Burnham was unmoved. PNC insisted on May 26, and the British acquiesced. 

Excepts taken from indo-caribbean.com

[havatabanca]

[prettydiva8508]