…Opposition to raise issue in Parliament as matter of urgency
As the investigation into the deadly pirate attack continues, the Police in Suriname and Guyana are yet to charge anyone or make any additional arrests. They are also yet to find any of the 15 missing fishermen.
Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo with relatives of the missing fishermen in Suriname
Two Saturdays ago, four boats were attacked by a group of men who brutalised the occupants then threw them overboard. Two days later, another boat was attacked and the captain killed. The crew is still missing. Those identified as missing include Ramesh Sanchara, Ganesh Persaud, Vickey Persaud, Glenroy Jones, Bharat Heralall, Ralph Anthony, and Tiaknauth Mohabir. The bodies that were recovered are yet to be positively identified while five persons have survived the attack.
The relatives of the missing fishermen are complaining about the treatment meted out to them by the Surinamese authorities since they are not allowed to view the recovered bodies of the men.
Additionally, both Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan led teams to the Dutch speaking country where they met with the aggrieved families and Surinamese authorities to discuss the way forward with possible areas for collaboration.
The Surinamese Police said they have 13 in custody but the country’s Justice and Police Minister, Stuart Faith reported that 30 persons have been arrested. The arrests, he noted, were made on water and on land. Meanwhile, Surinamese Defence Minister Ronni Benschop assured that in a week’s time, the fishermen could safely return to work at sea after the fisherfolks refused to work in light of the deadly attacks.
Surinamese law enforcement officials taking one of the bodies recovered to the morgue
The Guyanese authorities also have three persons in custody assisting with investigations on this end.
Parliamentary discussion
Meanwhile, Jagdeo has since indicated that he will be raising the issue at Friday’s sitting of the National Assembly with the hopes that Speaker Barton Scotland allows a discussion. He noted that they are ready to support the Government, providing they handle the situation with the urgency and importance it requires.
Guyana Times understands that a boat owner who reported the robbery to the Police described the men he recognised during the brutal attack on the fishermen. He reportedly told the Police that “Dick”, “Bolo”, “Crackhead”, “Sanbad” and another man he did not know carried out the attack. The owner also told officials that the suspects were all Guyanese.
News coming out of Suriname also stated that the Coast Guard has also brought in a boat and suspects and handed them over to the Police. Upon inspection of the boat, it appeared that the crew could not produce a permit. The people on board also had no identification papers.
