Fisherman laid to rest as search continues for other crew members

Jun 07, 2016 News

The wife of Hemchand Sukdeo (inset) and her daughter.

Hemchand Sukdeo who was killed by pirates, was laid to rest on Sunday. His funeral attracted a large gathering as residents of the fishing community came out to pay their respects.

Wails and screams resonated from the home of the late fisherman as persons gathered to get one final view of his remains. His funeral service was conducted according to Hindu rights at his No. 55 Corentyne home.
The late Sukdeo was part of a five-member crew aboard the fishing boat, Rosanna 664 attacked by pirates on Friday May 27th, 2016 at around 23:00 hrs. Still missing and feared dead are Dochand Sukra aka ‘Bucher”, 54, of No. 55 Village; Munesh Churram, aka “Boyo”, 26, of No. 60 Village, Corentyne; Churram is a father of two aged two years and five months.
Dhanpaul Rampaul a father of one of No. 67 Village, Corentyne and Dochand Sukra aka ‘Bucher”, 54, of No. 55 Village, Corentyne, were the other victims.

The crowd that gathered Sunday to say goodbye to murdered fisherman, Hemchand Sukdeo.

Boat captain Seepersaud Persaud, who was also thrown overboard, managed to survive the ordeal by drifting for hours until he was rescued by another boat while the body of Sukdeo, was pulled up in a fishing seine hours after the attack.
A post mortem examination conducted on the body of Sukdeo by Dr. Nehaul Singh determined the cause of death as blunt trauma to the head and asphyxia due to drowning.
Five fishermen have been charged with the murder of Sukdeo. They are Ramchan Latchman, of No. 65 Village, Corentyne; Ganesh Naidoo, 41, of No. 71 Village; Ramesh Singh, 53, of Liverpool Village; Stephen Leon Leacock, 19, of 366, No. 77 Village and Leon Sammy, 29, of Lot 1 No. 75 Village, all of Corentyne, Berbice.
The trial has been postponed to July 6, 2016.