MINISTER of Home Affairs Clement Rohee has lashed out at the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) Leader Robert Corbin for circulating misinformation and falsification by way of letter which are intended to tarnish the Joint Services.

“I can identify 11 pieces of misinformation in the document (Corbin’s letter). The first piece is that there was wanton destruction of property in the backlands where the joint services are now actively working to mow-out the bushes in the section of that area where the bandits are known to be hiding out… I think it’s not only an exaggeration but falsification,” Minister Rohee said.

PNCR leader, Robert Corbin dispatched a letter to President Bharrat Jagdeo, Commissioner of Police (ag), Henry Greene and Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Chief-of-Staff, Commodore Gary Best in which he made these remarks among others and condemned the damages caused on residents’ properties during Operation Restore Order.

Copies of the letter were also sent to media houses.

However, the Joint Services in a press release stated that 15 houses were searched and where unavoidable damages occurred, as part of its policy the army has begun to repair those damages. It also pointed out that in activities where they look for criminals there is often some degree of collateral damage.

Meanwhile, Minister Rohee expressed concern over biased reporting by certain sections of the media with relation to the Joint Services special operation.

He said persons have been calling on the Joint Services to act effectively to arrest the crime situation and now that they have, it’s unfortunate that the security forces are receiving criticisms from certain sections of society.

“When the attacks were made on the people of Lusignan there was a public outcry for the joint services to take action and go after the bandits. Some sections of the media were making the claims that nothing was being done, no strategy, no action was being taken. Now that the joint services have swung into action, top gear, we are hearing that damage is being done to property.”

He said, “All they have done is manipulated the news, they are interviewing people who claim to have their property damaged but not those who are welcoming the activities of the joint services.”

Meanwhile, Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Mr. Robeson Benn, said clearing of the backlands on the lower East Coast of Demerara is critical in the security forces’ effort to capture criminals and noted that the cleansing will help in protecting persons including residents of Buxton.

“Given the nature of the security problem…and given the fact that we have to ensure security of all the residents there including the people of Buxton, this is a necessary step,” Benn declared.

“We also have to ensure the security even for the forces that go in the back there, to give them enough opportunity to capture these criminals. So I don’t think anybody should be puzzled about it at this time,” Minister Benn emphasized.

Government is putting the necessary measures in place to compensate persons who will be affected by the move.

“I am aware that steps are being taken to record what there is out there and to make sure that there is a mechanism for compensation…,” Minister Benn said.

The Joint Services have established a desk at the Office of the Commissioner of Police to deal with the issue of compensation to farmers who will be affected by the clearing of the East Coast Demerara backlands.

On February 4 after a decision by the Office of the President, the Joint Services commenced an operation to clear the back-lands on the lower East Coast of Demerara in which criminals are suspected to be hiding out.