I grieve at the murders of my relatives

Dear Editor,

My name is Sabitri Prashad nee Jaikarran, and I currently live in Virginia.

I was born and raised at Pln. Chance, Mahaicony Branch Road, E.C. D. Guyana.

Over forty three years ago, eight members of my family were shot by thugs who went to my sister Moorti Devi Pritipaul’s house, and shot my sister, her husband their sons and my teenage brother Rajpaul Jaikarran and also a relative, Bob.

Then they darted across the road, broke down the door and shot my brother Bhoge Jaikarran, his wife who was pregnant, their daughter and son, killing seven on the spot and three died later.

We had to dig a very big pond on a house spot on my parents land just near where the shooting took place, and placed the coffins side by side. God knows how we all survived it; but most of all my Mom and Dad. “Oh how it still hurts.”

Less than two years ago, two of my nephews and a niece Satyadeo Sawh , Rajpaul Sawh and Juliet and one other were gunned down at LBI.

Now January 2008, they shot and killed eleven people at Lusignan. A close relative of mine Mohandai Gourdat and her two sons were shot dead. The husband and father respectively had three days before gone back to Trinidad where he worked. He received a phone call to come home, only to find his entire family dead.

Then there is a distant relative of mine Gomattie who whilst hiding, saw the gunman shoot her husband Clarence Thomas, their eleven year old daughter and son to death at point blank range. What went through this mother’s mind is unimaginable, or hard to comprehend.

I am grieving at the inhuman act of murder of these innocent brothers and sisters, and five angels, our children.

My family and I share in the pain that the family and friends of the victims are going through. My prayer is for the recovery of those in hospital.

Yours faithfully,

Sabitri Prashad