Relatives still uneasy
Hundreds of devotees and the relatives of those who were murdered during the Lusignan Massacre gathered last evening at the Lusignan Tarmac for the first of the three-night Pitri Paksh Satsang held in remembrance of the eleven people who were killed.
Gomattie Thomas who lost her husband, son and daughter
Clarence Thomas, 48, his 12-year-old daughter, Vanessa Thomas and his son, Ron Thomas, Mohandai Gourdat, 32, and her two sons, four-year-old Seegobind Harrilall and ten-year-old Seegopaul Harrilall, 22-year-old Shazam Mohamed, 55-year-old Shaleem Baksh, Seecharran Rooplall, 56, his wife, Dhanrajie Ramsingh, 52, and their 11-year-old daughter, Raywattie Ramsingh were murdered during the early hours of January 26 when a gang of gunmen targeted five homes in Tract ‘A’ Lusignan Pasture shooting indiscriminately.
Pirtri Paksh is observed during the fifteen days of the dark half of the Hindu month of Ashwin (September-October). Tillanjali (water with black sesame seeds) is offered in the name of their departed ancestors during this time. During this period, the ancestors are worshipped and every effort is made to satisfy their wishes so that they rest in peace for the rest of the year.
Master of Ceremonies, Tejram Mohabir opened the three-night gathering by announcing the Satsang (religious gathering) was being held in remembrance of those “who were murdered by Rondell ‘Fineman’ Rawlins”.
Bibi Baksh at the remembrance last night
The event was organized by various Mandirs along the East Coast Demerara. Prayers were offered, hymns sung and speeches made but Gomattie Thomas, the wife of Clarence Thomas and mother of Vanessa and Ron Thomas said that while “…the effort was touching…the pain will never go away”.
“I am happy they keep this lil service…the people are showing that they love and care for us,” the woman said.
Noreen Seecharan, who lost her parents, Rooplall and Ramsingh, and her sister Vanessa as well as Bibi Baksh, the wife of Shaleem Baksh, agreed with Thomas that they still didn’t feel safe in their homes and were still traumatized.
“…a promise is a promise,” Seecharan said, “they promised us proper street lights and a police outpost and still we haven’t seen those things,” she continued. With much emotion she further said that the bush in the area which was supposed to be cleared was still there as well.
“The two street lights that were in front of my house haven’t been working for a while now,” Thomas explained. The woman said that she had reported the matter the Guyana Power and Light Company but nothing has been done to date.
Bibi, her voice quivering and tears streaming down her cheeks, said that when she arrived at the Tarmac and saw her husband’s picture on the stage she couldn’t stop crying. “I believe that people truly understand how we feel and I think that they really care.
Relatives of some of the massacre victims making an offering during a Havan at the Satsang held in remembrance of the Lusignan Massacre victims last evening.
Although James Anthony Hyles called Sally, Mark Royden Williams and a 14-year-old boy of Strathspey Squatting Area who cannot be named for legal reasons have been charged for the murders the relatives of the victims said that they still don’t feel safe.
One relative stated: “Even though they’ve arrested these men and they’ve managed to hunt and kill Fineman we still don’t feel safe in our homes…there are others out there…many others and we’ll never be safe”.
The families of Gourdat and her two sons and Rooplall and his wife and daughter performed prayers with the guidance of a Pandit for the deceased. It was stressed that during this period of Pitri Paksh prayers are offered to God especially for the souls of the departed relatives so that they may be blessed and protected.
“I’m not sure what happening to their souls…I can only hope that they’ve found some peace now and that is all I can pray for their peace and mine,” one relative said.
It has deen almost nine months since the Lusignan massacre, and the pains and emotion that i felt on the dreadful day is still in still in me.None of these people are relatives of mine,but we are all human,and the human part of you must fell some kind of pain for the surviving family members.To the famies that was affected by this ineous act of a few cowards… keep on praying and god will give you comfort. Like he say in his word”I will not leave you nor forsake you” in time of need he is always there to comfort us, so keep on praying and ask him boldly for that comfort and he will provide it. Best wishes.
We feel you pain…..and my heart and my prayers are with the families who lost loves.
Only God and those closely involved knows the pain suffered that infamous day. I want you to know that we all in New York feel your pain also. The heartless criminals must know that they will never escape the long arm of the law. As to this so called Trade Unionist I have to say you should be ashamed of yourself if you have any left. You Guys selectively condemn injustices and have a ficticious imagination.
Come on now,it’s coming up to a year since the Lusignan Massacre,those people still fear for their lives.
Those in authority make sure those people get want was promised,that is street lights,police out post,clearing of bush aback of said tract ‘A’ and close vicinity.
I suggest take to the streets and let your demands be heard.
You the people of Lusignan tract ‘A’ deserve more,than just mere lip service.
how can Tejram Mohabir say service is in remberance of those murdered by RONDELL FINEMAN RAWLINS, when he waz never proven guilty of those murders.
It is amazing that we still have some who are in denial.
Otorious good point but we will never know because the joint services killed de men and get the 60 miliion dollars reward from the government
How to you suggest they prove Fineman guilt otorious. Guilt can be proven without a trial.
I think he is the one who call and acknowledge he had a role in the killings. He was found with the Ak47 that was used in the crimes. His fingurer print is all over these crimes. I wish the joint forces would have caught him alive tried him in a court of law the hang the baby killer. What he did show that he was a punk and a coward. He was man enough to stand a fight with people who had gun like he did rather than to kill the unarmed to show he was tough guy.
May you all find peace in these trying times.
I know you will all find some solace if the persons responsible for this are brought to stand trial and be sentenced accordingly. I hope this remains and ongoing investigation and that it didn’t just end with the death of “fineman”.
God bless you all.
I truely feel the pain and sorrow for the family of the victims of the dreadfull killing nine months ago, and it touches my heart to see that the family is here nine months after giving thanks and praises to their God in remembrance of their family.And it takes me back the old humn that i always love
Through all the changing scenes of life,
In trouble and in joy,
The praises of my God shall still
My heart and tongue employ.
Of His deliverance I will boast,
Till all that are distressed
From my example courage take
And soothe their griefs to rest.
O magnify the Lord with me,
With me exalt His Name;
When in distress to Him I called,
He to my rescue came.
Their drooping hearts were soon refreshed,
Who looked to Him for aid;
Desired success in every face,
A cheerful air displayed.
“Behold,” they say, “Behold the man
Whom providence relieved;
The man so dangerously beset,
So wondrously retrieved!”
The hosts of God encamp around
The dwellings of the just;
Deliverance He affords to all
Who on His succor trust.
O make but trial of His love;
Experience will decide
How blest are they, and only they,
Who in His truth confide.
Fear Him, ye saints, and you will then
Have nothing else to fear;
Make you His service your delight;
Your wants shall be His care.
While hungry lions lack their prey,
The Lord will food provide
For such as put their trust in Him,
And see their needs supplied.
i feel so sad for those people , may god accept their prayers and be with them through their hard days of the rest of their life.
Heartfelt sympathy for those who lost their loved ones. We must not forget those who were also traumatised by the massacre. Here is where we need to step up pressure on the gov’t to keep it’s word by clearing the bushes and establishing a police station. If you promise the people something, deliver on it.
May the souls of those who died that night rest in peace.
otorious, you have a very short memory. fineman himself admitted he did it.
otorious,you have a very short memory. fineman himself said he did it.