Fishermen’s families remember loved ones ahead of National Day of Mourning

Almost three months after the vessel captained by Ramesh ‘Ravo’ Sancharra was gruesomely attacked in one of the worst acts of piracy in Guyana’s history, Sanchara remains one of 11 men whose bodies have not been recovered, and they are presumed dead.
On Sunday, at Sancharra’s Good Hope, East Coast Demerara residence, family members and friends gathered to say farewell with solemn Hindu rites for the dead.
Sancharra’s wife, Kawalpatty Mangru, tearfully recalled that her husband had been a fisherman for more than 30 years. “He like fishing. He does work; he doesn’t do

nothing else. Meh miss him!” Mangru said.
Sancharra’s vessel was one of four carrying some 20 persons off the coast of Suriname when it was attacked on April 27. His son, Rajendra Sancharra, said he was about to have breakfast when he received the devastating news on the morning after the attack.
“Three from my father boat they chop and tie with battery. They had two other survivors,” Rajendra told the Department of Public Information. “It’s a very, very sad situation,” he added.
Sancharra’s memorial comes the day before the country honours the fishermen’s memory with a National Day of Mourning.
A Department of Public Information report stated that President Granger made the proclamation in regard to the National Day of Mourning on Friday.
“Well, that is a good thing that he has done; and maybe he could do it like every

year,” Rajendra said of the President’s decision.
On Monday, June 25, all authorities, boards, commissions, corporations, public agencies, and citizens will fly the Golden Arrowhead at half-staff as a demonstration of solidarity with the families of the men killed in the gruesome and grisly acts, and to accord due homage, respect and reverence to the memory of the victims.
Family members of Danesh Persaud, called “Vicky”, and Mahese Sarjoo were headed to Suriname to commemorate the loss of their loved ones. The Guyana Embassy in Paramaribo is hosting a prayer service in honour of the men on Monday.
Sancharra family members have said they would like to see justice served for their father and the other men who lost their lives. Tarmattie Ibrahim, called Kavita, wife of Danesh Persaud, has said, “We need justice!”