Annandale businessman chopped, burnt, house set alight in bandit attack

Dec 22, 2011 News

During the wee hours of yesterday, two bandits attacked and robbed Ganesh Puran of $20,000

Inside of Puran’s house where the door, main switch and walls caught afire

just as he was closing his woodworking shop in Annandale, East Coast Demerara.
Reports are that the businessman, who runs the “Puran Woodworks shop, located at Lot 17 Rabindra Street, Annandale South, was locking up his business when he was accosted by two armed men. They were both wearing long-boots and had handkerchiefs tied over their faces.
A shaken Puran explained that the two men demanded that he hand over all of his valuables. They threatened to harm him with their cutlasses.
“They tell me they want my money. I only had $20,000 on me which I gave them. Them didn’t satisfied and carry me upstairs where I live and tell me they want all my money and gold but I didn’t have any. They tumble up the place and keep telling me they want money and gold. So when they realize I didn’t have more they chop me by my face and start to kick me. I get blackout.”
This newspaper understands that the men subsequently took one of the mattresses and lit it afire. They then threw the mattress on Puran which caused him to suffer burns about his body.
Puran, in reflex action, threw the burning mattress on one of his attackers resulting in the man receiving some burns. The two bandits quickly escaped after realizing that the house was also on fire and neighbours were raising alarms.
“I have lived here all my life, had this business for seven years, and I was never robbed before. Neighbours came out but by then the men gone. They call police from Vigilance Station who come about 02:00 am. I went down to Public Hospital where they had me waiting long too. Them rub some ointment, give me saline and injection but that’s it,” Puran added.
Puran was alone at home when the incident occurred.
When Kaieteur News arrived at the scene, burnt furniture and clothing were in the yard and the stairway leading to the victim’s verandah was badly burnt.
Inside the house, there was substantial damage with the electrical main switch burnt. There were also damages to a main door and walls. The man’s bed was damaged beyond repair and smelt of kerosene.
Puran sustained injuries to his feet and arms from the burning mattress and also suffered a chop to the left side of his head. Police ranks are currently investigating the matter.

5 thoughts on “Annandale businessman chopped, burnt, house set alight in bandit attack”

RaAmen December 22, 2011 at 9:17 am

How sad, just don’t know what more to say, this is an every day occurance.
Karen December 22, 2011 at 1:17 pm

Gosh ,they had to set him and his place on fire.Kaieture news I really support the extent you go to highlight these issues ,because the government has to find a way to come up with measure to tackle this ‘highway crime”
$17866490 December 22, 2011 at 1:44 pm

same ol same ol … rohee is still home affairs minister !!
Just50 December 22, 2011 at 2:18 pm

These atrocities will continue as long as you have people who are incapable of securing its citizens. I pray that things change in our beautiful Guyana. We had a chance to change it now we have to blame ourselves and forget our trauma in five years.
eve44 December 22, 2011 at 6:52 pm

I don’t give a darn as to where the blame should be placed. We need two possible course of actions to combat these senseless atrocities. Either vigilante justice or punishment so harsh that the next criminal would sooner join a church and seek God rather than a life of crime. Guyana is certainly spiralling towards hell in a hand basket.
Where will the economy be when the shopkeepers are constantly beiung relieved of their money by these small- minded bandits. Go to Water Street, Camp Street, etc and rob the folks there. You want to be a true criminal and make crime a career then be like Bonnie and Clyde, not smart asses who resort to burning when enough has not been had. Hope they find the crooks soon. Everyday occurrenece is saying the least , . It’s almost an epidemic. Born in the land where men carry knives all day! Land where businessmen with their lives do pay! Oh! what more can I say? Help us Lord , help us we pray.