Latest update January 20th, 2025 4:00 AM
Mon Repos fisherman yet to be found
Despite several searches made since 48-year-old fisherman Surujpaul Sookraj
Missing fisherman Surujpaul Sookraj (centre) flanked by his two daughters in happier times
went missing, he is yet to be found.
A number of Sookraj’s relatives still trust that his remains would be located soon in order to have proper funeral arrangements. However, some have become frustrated and given up hope.
Over three weeks have passed since the man left his home at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, with three others to conduct fishing activities at Port Kaituma.
His family never heard from him again after his departure on January 13.
According to Sookraj’s daughter Amrita, the family feared the worst after the boat captain’s wife delivered news that he “caught fits” on the vessel and fell overboard.
They were also told that the others on the boat were unsuccessful in locating his body.
Reports are that Sookraj left his home on January 13 with the boat owner, “Jerrick”, who was the Captain at the time; Jerrick’s son and another man, to travel to Port Kaituma.
The boat was taking items into the area to be sold and was also used as a fishing vessel.
They would, on the return leg catch fish and bring it back to Georgetown to be sold.
“Jerrick wife say how my father catch fits and fall overboard and she say they were not finding him and how she wanted his ID card with his birth certificate and the correct spelling of his name. We did not give her any documents. We went to the Beterverwagting Police Station and they sent us to Eve Leary where the report was made. I spoke with a Commander there who gave me a number for the Mabaruma Police Station and I called them,” said Amrita.
The distraught daughter explained that when she contacted the Mabaruma Police Station, she was told that they were still conducting searches in the waters.
The officers promised to notify her in the event that they locate her father’s body.
Kaieteur News understands that the other men on board the vessel were in police custody but were released shortly after.
“Our father worked for 24 to 25 years as a fisherman and this is the first time that he went with these people and this happen. He was never in any problems before with anyone he worked with. Our father was healthy, never suffered from no sick, he does only drink and so but he was healthy,” said the other daughter.
The family of Sookraj is asking the public if anyone knows the whereabouts of the man or the location of his body that immediate contact should be made to the nearest police station.
“All we want is his body. If he is dead we understand that, but we just want give he a proper funeral. He deserves that much,” added Amrita.
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