Shot in head and back at work… Market vendors call for armed security

Apr 05, 2018 News

Market Vendor Doodnauth Danasri was back at work yesterday. In fact, he turned out to work the day after the robbery

Two days after he was shot to the head by bandits, La Penitence, Georgetown Market vendors, Doodnauth Danasri and his wife, are calling on the relevant authorities to deploy armed security to keep round the clock vigil at the market.
Doodnauth, 62, and his wife Meena of Lot 200 Seventh Street, Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara were attacked by four bandits—two of whom arrived on bicycles just after 17:00hrs on Easter Monday.
While his injuries are not life threatening, Doodnauth who was seen with two sets of stitches—one on the right cheek and to the side of his head—still has to visit the hospital for check-ups. He was also shot once to the abdomen.
In speaking with this publication yesterday, Doodnauth who was back at work related that he is grateful for life and that he and his wife are now scared to sell in the market after 16:00hrs.
He said that although several female constabulary ranks were present when the bandits launched their attack, they could not have aided since they were all unarmed. As such, the father of one made a call for armed security to be placed at the market. He even appealed for there to be regular police patrol at the market given its location and close proximity to the Ruimveldt Police Station.
The couple said that in recent times many brazen daylight robberies have been carried out at the market and the perpetrators are not being apprehended. They recalled that sometime last year, a vendor who sells fruits and vegetables at the same market was shot in the foot by bandits before being relieved of cash.
The couple who has been vendors for over 38 years related that this is the first time a robbery of such nature was committed on them. Meena questioned, “Is weh they get the gun from?”
It was observed by this publication that after hours lights would be switched on in the market and there would be a few vendors selling mostly vegetable just outside Twin’s Pharmacy to cater for late shoppers.
Over time, it has also been noticed that mostly armed female city constabulary ranks would keep watch at the market during late hours. And even if they are armed, it would mostly be with batons.
According to reports, Doodnauth had just offloaded stocks on the stall when the unmasked bandits pounced on him, demanding that he hand over cash. Kaieteur News understands that two other bandits were on the lookout. The bandits on the bicycle targeted Doodnauth’s wife who was wearing an apron containing over $100,000 in cash. But as Meena attempted to escape from, their accomplices cornered her just in front of Twin’s Pharmacy.
One of them placed a gun and knife to her chest before grabbing the cash from her apron that was tied around her waist. The bandit then discharged three rounds at her husband. Two of the robbers escaped on foot with their two other accomplices behind them on a bicycle through James Street, Albouystown.
The monies, which the couple earned over a two-day period were to pay suppliers. Kaieteur News was informed that the gunman discharged three rounds—two of which hit Doodnauth at the side of his head and on the chest respectively. After collapsing to the ground, the injured man was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital by ranks from the nearby Ruimveldt Police Station. The injured man received medical attention and was discharged the said evening. He said that the bullets only grazed him. Investigations are ongoing and police are still to apprehend the suspects.

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