Gunmen slaughter 11 Indian-origin villagers in Guyana

At least five of the victims were children, said Divisional Police Commander Leroy Brummel. Three survivors were hospitalised with gunshot wounds.

8220;The killing in the village of Lusignan was a cowardly act by sick, demented criminals,8221; said President Bharrat Jagdeo, addressing his country and appealing for calm.

8220;We have to ensure this does not spread ethnic tension,8221; said Jagdeo. 8220;These are criminals. We have to hunt them down.8221;

The targeted village8217;s population is mainly of East Indian heritage. Guyana8217;s two main ethnic groups are the descendants of East Indian indentured laborers and the descendants of black African slaves.

The protesters, most of whom were East Indian, also ripped out steel panels from bridges across a number of canals, and chased members of the predominantly black Guyana Defence Force GDF away from the fiery road blocks.

Protesters urged GDF members to go to neighbouring Buxton, about six kilometers east of Lusignan, where the gang is ensconced.

The attacks followed reports of telephone threats by Rondell Rawlins, said to head a gang of some 20 heavily armed black men he organised after breaking out of prison in 2002.