…says Berbice woman who lost her husband, son and brother
By Andrew Carmichael
The woman who lost her son, husband and brother in 2016 when they were murdered at Cookrite Savannah in Black Bush Polder, Berbice, benefited from assistance from the Humanitarian Mission of New Jersey Arya Samaj on Friday.
The New Jersey Arya Samaj Humanitarian Mission has as its motto: Dedicated to helping children, seniors, victims of gender-based violence, and other individuals who are living in dire poverty. The organisation’s aim is for the beneficiaries to be healthy, educated and self-reliant.
Executive member of the entity, Mahindradass Nandalal said the Mission wanted to ensure that Indrawattie Rooplall is in a position to live a normal life, hence the donation of livestock.
“We always believe that handouts is not the answer. We also believe that before we give an individual fish, we teach them how to fish. So we gave her this poultry and two sheep so that she could rear them and turn over the business so that she can get a profit that would be able to assist her financially,” Nandalal said.
Nandalal said Rooplall has been found to be a person with integrity and honesty. According to Rooplall, her children are absent most days from school.
“We does struggle. I plant but don’t get much. I use to do security work but because of the night shift, I left it,” she said. Rooplall in giving thanks said the Mission had come to her assistance when her financial situation took a downward turn and she could not afford to send her two remaining children to school.
According to the widow, the Mission has been reaching out to her ever since her plight was publicised in the media. Corporate businesses have also assisted, she said.
“I thank God for that. I have all the stationary for my children to go to school. Over the past two years things were rough and I was struggling all the time but for the past three weeks things are getting better and for the New Year I am planning to get some creole fouls and get some eggs, rear some animals and plant…”
On July 23, 2016, the bodies of Pawan Chandradeo, also called “Surish”, 37, of Black Bush Polder; his son Jaikarran Chandradeo, also called “Kevin”, 15; and his brother-in-law, Narish Rooplall, also called “Mice”, 33, of Number 73 Village, Corentyne were discovered lying next to each other on a dam at Cookrite Savannah, Black Bush Polder, with gunshot wounds. The Police said that bodies bore a single gunshot wound each.
The bodies were discovered shortly after daybreak by a rice farmer, about three miles into the savannah, a short distance away from “King’s Camp”.
The men had gone on a fishing expedition around mid-afternoon and were expected back home the following morning.
Police had reported that a farmer, Carlton “Lyman” Chetram; his wife; their 19-year-old son Jairam Chetram; and an employee, Tameshwar Tajmohan confessed to the killings and revealed that another man was involved.
Those persons have since been charged and the matter is currently being heard at the Whim Magistrate’s Court, where it will come up again on November 29.
