- community needs to come together, says Prakash Gossai
Another Better Hope resident was held yesterday for questioning into the brutal stabbing to death of construction foreman Latchman Persaud and a third suspect is being sought.
Hindu religious leader Shri Prakash Gossai comforts Latchman Persaud’s grieving widow Swarsattie Etwaroo yesterday at her Better Hope, East Coast Demerara home. The grief-stricken woman is holding her one-year-old son. (Photo courtesy of Shri Prakash Gossai)
Stabroek News understands that the man was picked up in the East Coast Demerara village yesterday afternoon and taken to the Sparendaam Police Station. The other suspect in custody had turned up at the same police station with his father on Monday and after giving a statement, he was detained.
Meanwhile, a post-mortem examination will be conducted on Persaud’s remains today and he will be buried on Saturday.
Persaud, called ‘Boyo’, of Better Hope South, was fatally stabbed on Sunday around 10 pm in the village. It was his birthday.
In a statement issued yesterday, police said investigations have revealed that Persaud was at home and left shortly after receiving a telephone call.
He was later heard shouting for help and upon checking he was discovered in front of his residence with stab wounds to the body. He was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
A knife, suspected to have been used in the attack, was recovered at the scene by the police and a man was arrested, the statement added.
Relatives told Stabroek News that jealousy over Persaud’s recent promotion to the post of foreman was what led to the tragedy.
According to the reports reaching this newspaper, two villagers, one of whom had held the foreman position until he was recently fired and his son-in-law had made life for Persaud miserable over the last few weeks.
The men were upset over his progress and the fact that they were fired.
Change
Yesterday, during a visit to the community, Hindu leader Shri Prakash Gossai called on Better Hope residents to live closer together and to attend their various places of worship. He urged religious and social organisations to get involved to help get rid of some of the social ills in society and not just make issues such as HIV the focus.
Gossai told Stabroek News yesterday that he was shocked to read in the media that the whole incident arose out of jealousy and as a result he decided to visit the community. He said when he arrived, there were about 14 persons at the dead man’s home and the number was more than double when he left. He said that Persaud’s mother and his 17-year-old wife were in tears while he visited the home.
Gossai, speaking in his capacity as a Hindu priest, told the gathering that paying attention to religion and religious thoughts could lead to a better way of life. He opined that had the attacker had someone, or even members of a community-based organisation, to whom he could have voiced his frustration, the incident might have been prevented. “We could set up a base where persons can feel free to discuss their problems. My firm belief is that attending places of worship could solve problems like this,” he said.
He called on all organisations to broaden their missions and look at things that are affecting communities and not just those affecting society as a whole.
LOL! @ “Speak your mind but take our GUIDELINES into consideration” Wow!
You guys put some modifiers in that statement. No longer, “Got something to say, speak your mind” If I’m not mistaken. LOL!
Anyways, I wanted to compliment SOESDYKE on his sharp look. You look handsome :) No strings attached!! Just like to tell it like it is!
This is a sad sorry indeed. :( Jealousy is a bad thing, and should be dealt with accordingly. It is okay to be jealous, but this is only for lovers. Even to lovers must have a limitation as to how far they are allowed to go with this jealous emotion! It makes things spicy :)
I am very sorry about the young woman’s lost. The baby is so cute!
-Later
The talked about times like these,when would become hartless.Just another brother is so envious of another to the point of taking his life.That brother is inhumane,anyhow that is how man has become,not only in Guyana but world wide.It’s a sad thing,but I warn us worst is yet to come.My only advice to you is to stay close to GOD.
Well betterhope is my home village and i am sad to hear that such a tragic incident occur. My heart felt sympathy goes out to the family. I am very sad to see such a hard working young man loose his life over a matter of jealousy. Such a young family was destroyed. Everyday i read the newspaper only to find some sort of crime which is really sad. Its not only guyana…its around the world.
I am so scared to visit the county i love becasue of the crime rate there.
Hopefully some justice will be given to the family since a few suspects were arrested.
-Sad
Were you living far away from De Souza Street ? Looking for a friend who used to live there.
Staff
Crumbling and social dis-order.
Problem: Lack of opportunity, centuries of miseducation, economic marginalization, gross poverty and blight
Action: crime spree, lack of respect for self and others, societal breakdown to ignorance, destruction of the family unit
Solution: Harsher penalties and the death sentence
God it figured out yet????Why is this rime spree in Guyana????Can we stop it NOW??? sure!!!!!!!!get rid of the bureaucrats and get good managers for the peoples’ business.
Must be some big oil ina Guyana or they hit a spot of diamonds. Ala South Afrika redux
“Keep it “LIT”
It is indeed heartening to learn that Shri Praksh Gossai has visited this bereaved family and to offer words of comfort, strength and support. A young woman of 17 years old lost her husband under such tragic circumstances is inconsolable. A one year old son in her hands left with an uncertain and gloomy future all due to jealousy, envy and anomosity. It is true that spiritual values and religious teachings can help mankind to a more sober way of life for morality and civic behaviour form the basis and support of being a responsible individual. I am sure that Shri Prakashji will endeavour in his efforts to give this young mother a direction to her future life. My Heartfelt sympathy and condolences go out to Swarsattie and all family members. Our prayers are with you. From the Pranav Ashram in Toronto, Canada.
well if they are found guilty.
I would say put them in a labour camp for life and all proceeding from their life work goes to the widow.
My sincere sympathies to the family.
I am disturbed by the senseless crimes in guyana,sulotion prayers.
ZIANNO, MAYBE YOU SHOULD TELL EVILEYES TO GO & RE-READ THE BOOK THAT HE GOT HIS INFO. & FULLY UNDERSTAND SAME. DID I DETECT SOME AGGRESSION IN HIS STATEMENTS? I, SURELY HOPE NOT. IT IS VERY SAD OF THIS FAMILY, & HOPING WITH THE PASSING OF TIME ,WOULD HELP TO HEAL THEIR WOUNDS. MAY HE R.I.P.