Mon Repos stabbing: No arrest yet, no autopsy can be done on body – Commander

It has been a week since 21-year-old Krishna Maniram, an audit clerk at National Hardware, and of Lot 190 Bladen Hall, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was fatally stabbed by a man at a bar at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara (ECD), and Police are still unable to identify or arrest the suspect.
On Sunday a relative of Maniram told Guyana Times that a suspect was arrested in relation to the man’s murder, but was later released after they were informed that it was the wrong person.

However, when contacted, Regional Commander of the Division, Keithon King said that based on his knowledge no one was arrested for the incident.
Reports stated that Maniram had left his home on July 8 with four of his friends and went to the S&S Bar at Mon Repos, ECD, where they were imbibing. While at the bar, Maniram’s friend was allegedly involved a heated argument with another man, and in a bid to defend his friend, Maniram intervened.
It was during the row; the man was stabbed three times about his body with a broken bottle. He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital and was later transported to the infectious Diseases Hospital at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.
The man’s family said he was transported to the hospital, because, according to doctors he tested positive for COVID-19. They said while he was at the centre, they were told that he had to undergo surgery.
Three days later, the man succumbed to his injuries.
After the stabbing incident, the dead man’s sister, Vineta Maniram, told this publication that she went to the Police to follow up on the incident, and was told that they are unable to locate the suspect.

No autopsy
Meanwhile, Maniram’s sister said an autopsy would be conducted on her brother’s body today to know the cause of death, but according to Commander King, an autopsy will not be performed on the remains of the 21-year-old.
He said they were advised by doctors that a post-mortem should not be conducted on the body, because the man was COVID-19 positive.
“The officer in charge of the investigation spoke with Dr Nehaul Singh, and he said once somebody dies of COVID, a post-mortem will not be done on the body…”, he said.
King added that ranks are currently waiting on documentation from pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh to determine the way forward in the matter.
However, Maniram’s family is questioning why an autopsy cannot be done on the body when surgery was done on the man while he was COVID positive.
Investigation into the matter continues. (G9)