Former Home Affairs Minister Ronald Gajraj dies

Dec 16, 2018 News

Former Home Affairs Minister Ronald Gajraj passed away suddenly yesterday at the Woodlands Hospital. He was 65.
Persons close to the former Minister stated that he was rushed to the hospital for emergency medical attention shortly before he succumbed.
Gajraj held the ministerial post in the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) administration under former President Bharrat Jagdeo between1999 and 2005.
In a statement, the PPP expressed deep shock at the sudden passing of Gajraj.

Former Home Affairs Minister Ronald Gajraj

According to the party, Gajraj was also a very loyal and dedicated supporter of the Party and extended sympathies and condolences to his wife, Chandra Gajraj, and his children, Aparna and Ranveer.
Gajraj was forced to resign from Government under local and foreign diplomatic pressure, particularly from the Americans due to allegations linking him to the activities of a known group, ‘phantom squad’, a parallel security group that targeted criminals during an era described as one of the deadliest in Guyana’s modern history. His resignation followed a Jagdeo-appointed Commission of Inquiry that absolved him of any wrongdoing.
“Mr Gajraj will best be remembered for the pivotal role he played as Home Affairs Minister in the fight against crime at a very challenging time of this nation’s history,” the PPP stated.
Following his resignation from Government, he was appointed Guyana’s High Commissioner to India. He subsequently resigned from diplomatic service and returned to Guyana where he kept a relatively low profile.