Emergency In British Guiana

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30127, 10 May 1963, Page 13

Emergency In British Guiana

15 A -Hauler—Copyrignt) GEORGETOWN (British Guiana), May 8.

A state of emergency was declared in British Guiana tonight by the Premier, Dr. Cheddi Jagan. shortly after the Governor (Sir Ralph Grey) failed in a last-minute attempt to end the deadlock in talks aimed at ending the 20-day-old general strike.

Negotiations between the Government and the Trades Union Council collapsed on Tuesday The T.U.C. called the strike —described by Dr Jagan as a bid to overthrow the Leftwing People's Progressive Partv Government —in orotest against a labour relations bill which would alb'w the Government to decide which unions the employers shoulo recognise In Britain about 200 men of the Royal Inniskilline Fusiliers were put on a 12hour alert yesterday because

oj the British Guiana situation. Dr. Jagan called in British troops after declaring a state of emergency on February 17. 1962. after disorders in which five persons were killed. 200 injured, and Georgetown’s business section extensively damaged. Police were reported to have seized guns, knives and over 500 rounds of ammunition last week in raids on homes and the headouarters of both the People’s Progressive Partv and the Opposition National Congress and United Party.