Guyana observes day of mourning for murdered fishermen

Jun 27, 2018 News

Relatives of the Guyanese fishermen who lost their lives in a coordinated attack late April and early May, on Monday observed the day of mourning as announced by the Government of Guyana.
A number of them went to Suriname where the Guyanese Embassy in Paramaribo had a prayer service.
Several government buildings, in observance of the day of mourning, flew their flags at half-mast.

BELOW IS A FACT SHEET OF THE DEADLY PIRACY ATTACKS WHICH TOOK PLACE BETWEEN APRIL 27, 2018 AND MAY 3, 2018 IN SURINAMESE WATERS:

Relatives of two of the victims preparing to head to Suriname to observe the National Day of Mourning with a prayer service hosted by the Guyana Embassy in Paramaribo.

The two attacks took place between April 27 and May 3 against four Suriname-registered fishing vessels carrying some 25 crew members, mainly Guyanese.

FIRST BOAT: The Romeina captained by 47-year-old Deonarine Goberdan, called ‘Patar’ was attacked around 18:30 hours.
VICTIMS IDENTIFIED: The bodies of two members of the Romeina washed ashore and were positively identified as those of Tillacknauth Mohabir called ‘Caiman’, 51, and Mahesh Sarjoo called ‘Vishal’.
SECOND BOAT: The Joshua owned by Rosey Jones was found submerged in water allegedly sunk by the pirates. The captain of the vessel “Aki Bai” was the lone survivor.
VICTIMS ON THE SECOND BOAT: Lalta Persaud called “Sunil and Pudduck”, 43, “Spanish Man”, “Bandara” and “Mukesh”.
THIRD BOAT: Name unknown, Captained by Dharmendrew Persaud, the lone survivor.
VICTIMS ON THE THIRD BOAT: Ramesh Sanchara called “Ravo”, Ramnarine Singh, 49, Looknarine Persaud called “Kleine” and Rajendra Bissessar.
FOURTH BOAT: The last boat believed to be attacked is known as Shifanie owned by Hemlall Ramsarran.
VICTIMS ON THE FOURTH BOAT: Captain, Danesh Persaud called ‘Vicky’, 27, of Sheet Anchor, East Canje, and crew members Ralph Anthony Couchman called “Burnham” , 22, Glendroy Jones called ‘Alkaline’ and ‘Joshua’, 20, and Gowkaran Outar called “Gavin” and “Longhair”, 33, whose body was found washed up at the Number 63 beach.
SURVIVOR ON THE FOURTH BOAT: 35-year-old, Sherwin Lovell

Preparations made by the eldest son of Ramesh Sancharra to commence the Hindu rites for the deceased.

MISSING / FEARED DEAD: The twelve fishermen who are still missing are: Vickey Persaud, Ramesh Sanchara, Glenroy Jones, Tikaknauth Mohabir, Bobby Ibrahim, Bharat Heralall, Ralph Anthony Couchman, Rajkumar Bissesar, Sunil called “Pudduck” and Olenski Maxwell.
SURVIVORS’ TALE: Survivors recounted that they were assaulted with machetes, hot oil poured on them and forced to jump into the sea by assailants suspected to be of Guyanese heritage. Some of the survivors said several victims had batteries tied to their legs and thrown overboard.
IMMEDIATE RESPONSE: On May 3, President David Granger announced that Government would provide necessary support and resources to bring the perpetrators to justice, and that a Day of Mourning would be observed.

Kawalpatty Mangru, wife of Ramesh Sancharra, tearfully recalls her husband and his love for fishing which stretched over 30 years before his death.

MEETING WITH FAMILIES: On May 6, Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan met with relatives and survivors of the missing fishermen at the Guyana Embassy in Henk Arronstraat, Paramaribo, Suriname, and Surinamese security officials.
MEDIA UPDATE: On May 9, Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan held a press conference. The minister explained that during his visit to Suriname, he along with his team also met the Surinamese Minister of Justice, Minister of Defence, Minister of Agriculture, the Police Commissioner and the Chief Detective who is in charge of the investigations. This meeting yielded vital information regarding the incident.
SUSPECTS ARRESTED AND CHARGED IN GUYANA: On May 30, alleged individual behind the attacks 39-year-old, Nakool Manohar called “Fyah” appeared at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh and was remanded.
On June 6, 19-year-old Alexander Denhart called “Shameface” appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with the murder of fisherman Tilacknauth Mohabir called “Caiman”.

The flag flown half-mast on Monday at the Ministry of Finance.

MORE CHARGES: On June 13, the alleged mastermind, 43-year-old Primnauth Persaud, called “Sinbad” of Cromarty Village, and his co-accused Nakool Manohar (‘Fyah’), popularly known as “Fyah” of Number 43 Village, were charged with two counts of murder for allegedly killing fishermen Mahesh Sarjoo and Tillacknauth Mohabir during the piracy attack.
PROCLAMATION: On Friday, June 23, the President issued a proclamation that Monday, June 25 be observed as a National Day of Mourning for the fishermen who lost their lives in the dreaded attacks.
NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING: The National Flag was flown at half-staff to show solidarity with the families of those killed in the gruesome acts and to pay due respect to the memory of the victims. A minute of silence was observed in the National Assembly in solidarity for the victims and their grieving families.