President declares June 25 a National Day of mourning

Piracy massacre

Almost two months after the deadly piracy attacks that occurred in Surinamese waters had left four persons dead and 11 others still missing, President David Granger has issued a proclamation listing Monday, June 25, 2018 as a National Day of Morning in memory of the victims.
A statement from the Ministry of the Presidency on Friday said that this action was taken by the President using powers under Article 99 (1) of the Constitution.
“… Whereas His Excellency, the President, considers that the Co-operative Republic of Guyana should observe Monday the 25th day of June 2018 as a national day of mourning, as a solemn memorial to the victims of the massacre of Guyanese fishermen off the coast of Suriname between the 27th day of April, 2018 and the 3rd day of May, 2018; now, therefore…I declare Monday the 25th day of June, 2018 a national day of mourning for that purpose,” the proclamation details.
Moreover, the document calls on all “authorities, boards, commissions, corporations, public agencies, ministries and citizens to fly the Golden Arrowhead of Guyana at half-staff to demonstrate solidarity with the families of those killed in these grisly and gruesome acts, and to accord due homage, respect and reverence to the memory of the victims.”
Late in the evening of April 27, 2018, four boats were attacked by a group of privates, who brutalised the occupants then threw them overboard. Two days later, another boat was attacked, and the captain was killed. That crew is still missing.
Most of the victims from both attacks are Guyanese fishermen who were living in neighbouring Suriname. Among those still missing are Guyanese Ramesh Sanchara, Ganesh Persaud, Bharat Heralall, Ralph Anthony and Tiaknauth Mohabir.
Only four persons from the first attack survived, while four bodies have since been recovered.
However, only two of the recovered bodies have thus far been identified. They are Danesh Singh who, along with the other two unidentified persons, was recovered in Surinamese waters, and 33-year-old Gavin Outar of 18 Sheet Anchor, East Canje, Berbice, whose body washed up at the Number 63 Beach in Guyana.
Meanwhile, 13 suspects presently remain in Surinamese authorities’ custody, including “Crackhead,” who confessed to killing at least five of the fishermen. He reportedly was “following orders” to “get rid” of the men after brutalising them.
“Crackhead” did not divulge any information about his accomplices, but based on descriptions given by the five survivors, the other men arrested were picked up at several locations in Suriname.
Days after the breakthrough, Surinamese Police officer Premcharan Ravikan was found dead hours after allegedly being kidnapped by Guyanese. His body was discovered with at least five stab wounds and one gunshot wound.
Hours after the discovery of Ravikan’s body, a Guyanese fisherman walked into a Police station in Suriname and confessed to the heinous crime. It was established after Ravikan’s death that he had provided the gun that was used in the execution-style killing of Guyanese businessman Somnath Manohar on March 30 last.

After his death, Manohar’s family had allegedly offered members of a gang US$50,000 to revenge his killing.
Suriname law enforcement officials believe the recent piracy attacks were in retaliation for Manohar’s death. However, one of the men fingered in the piracy attacks is Nakool Manohar, brother of the late Somnath Manohar.
Last week, Nakool Manohar, called “Fyah”, 39, of Number 43 Village and another one of the attackers, Premnauth Persaud, called “Sanbad” or “Boy”, 43, of Cromarty Village appeared at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court, where they were jointly charged with two counts of murder. They were not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that between April 27 and May 3, at sea, they murdered Tillacknauth Mohabir, called “Caiman”; and Mahesh Sarjoo, called “Koba,” during the course of a robbery.
The men were previously charged separately, but those charges were withdrawn and reinstated jointly. Nevertheless, as investigations continue, the two countries are looking for a breakthrough, as well as to place the suspects before the courts. (Vahnu Manikchand)