| Missing fishermen…– Families say tension unbearableSuriname authorities have cleared the way for Guyana search parties to enter their jurisdiction with the aim of continuing and intensifying search efforts for the five missing Berbice fishermen.Eighteen days have passed since the five men, all of Corentyne, Berbice, ventured out to sea and never returned, leaving their families and friends to wonder of their whereabouts.The men identified as Khemraj Dhanpat called ‘Manohar’ or ‘Rajin’ (boat captain), his brother Narine Dhanpat called ‘Shrimp’, Ouditnarine Ramnarine, all of Number 64 village, Clifford Singh of Number 62 village and Suresh Martin, left for sea on August 6, last, on a fishing trip which was scheduled to last for 10 days.(From left to Right) Narine Dhanpat’s sister-in-law, his wife and two daughters await information about the young fisherman.Up to press time, contact had not been made by any of the men with their families or friends, and law enforcement officers have stepped up their actions to assist in locating the men.Kaieteur News visited relatives of the missing men who were all gathered yesterday at Gajadar Bisnauth (boat owner)’s residence located at Middle Walk, Number 64 Village, Corentyne, Berbice.Nanda Mukesh and Devika Bisnauth, sisters of Khemraj and Narine Dhanpat told this newspaper that this is a very difficult time for their entire family, especially their mother, who could hardly come to grips with her sons’ disappearance.“It is very hard,Wholesale NFL Jerseys, very rough and we have all hope waiting for their return. Our mother is sick with high blood pressure, we hope and pray God bring them back,” said Mukesh.His other sister stated that the situation was becoming unbearable for everyone and said that her family was willing to offer a reward for information leading to her brothers’ whereabouts.“We willing to offer a reward as long as we can get back we brother dem,Wholesale Cheap NFL Football Jerseys,” were the words of Devika Bisnauth.Narine Dhanpat’s wife explained that though hijacking occurs on a regular basis in the waters between Guyana and Suriname, she never imagined that her husband would meet such a fate.“I feeling very bad… I’m anxiously awaiting my husband’s return. We have two children and they are missing their father a lot, it is 18 days now he gone and we don’t know anything. I never expect this to happen”.Khemraj Dhanpat’s grieving wife flanked by his four childrenMeanwhile her sister-in-law “Anjo” who is Khemraj Narine’s wife, broke down as she reflected on her life with her husband.“It is eight years we living with each other. Me and him got one child together, but he was married before and has other children… but we live like family. It is very hard to deal with this. We just want them all to come home,” said the woman despairingly.The sisters of Clifford Singh lamented that their brother was missing and they could not obtain any news concerning what took place.“It is really sad and very bad for us. We have two other brothers and all of us are grieving. Clifford wife too sick to come out,NFL Jerseys China, she so sick that she and their baby daughter in bed right now. It is a very sad story,” Neela and Natalie Singh told Kaieteur News.While the sisters and wives of the missing fishermen were mourning and had to be comforted, the mother of Suresh Martin was at a loss for words. When she finally mustered up the strength to speak she said, “I feel very bad about this. This is my first child and I glad if I could get him back. He got two kids, one is 12 and the next is three years and imagine dem had to lose dem father. I hope he deh safe”.For Mahesh Ramnarine, losing his brother Ouditnarine has not been an easy thing to deal with, especially for his mother who is currently abroad.Nanda Mukesh (left) and Devika Bisnauth (hammock) as they look for signs of the Coast Guard to begin co-coordinating search teams.“My mother overseas and right now she packing to come home. This is the first time my brother ever went in something like this and I hope we find him.”Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud along with members of the Police Force and Coast Guard also visited the families of the men yesterday to provide an update on search and rescue efforts.While the gathering of family, friends and neighbours welcomed the visit, a majority of persons were skeptical about the entire situation, as some voiced their opinions that they did not believe the Surinamese Government was “doing enough” in their search efforts.The Agriculture Minister explained that both Governments were doing as much as they could as it relates to search and rescue efforts and though persons expect to see Surinamese patrols in Guyanese territory this would not be likely.“The Surinamese are not going to fly into Guyana airspace or within here. Our coastguards are doing their jobs and they (Surinamese) are doing theirs. The concentration has to be at the spot where the boat was last sighted or found.”Kaieteur News understands that the police forces of both countries are working with each other, likewise their coast guards, to ensure that all ground is covered, whether by air, land or water.It was also stated that the law enforcement agencies will execute a course of action that is to first identify what transpired and produce ‘leads’ to follow but to date no ‘leads’ have been found.“Our hope is that the fellas would turn up, they’ll be found alive, that is our hope and that is why we have an aggressive effort,” added Persaud.Members of the Coast Guard at the Bisnauths’ residence, Middle Walk, Number 64 Village, Berbice, devising plans with fishermen and relatives and friends of the missing men.Some of the men present explained that they were interested in being included in the search parties with the law enforcement officers. They explained that they would be able to point out locations which could/would be used for hiding by persons conducting illegal activities, and if the men were still alive and left to wander at some isolated point,Cheap Stitched Jerseys, they would be able to assist in identifying spots.Khemraj Narine’s wife, “Anjo” broke down in front of the crowd and pleaded with the Minister that he should not “give false hopes”.“If dem find dem dead and all let dem bring dem. Alyuh nah give we false hope, nah tell we lie, we ah depend on yuh,Cheap Jerseys Online,” sobbed the distressed woman.According to information received, though the men were scheduled to return home on August 16 and did not, relatives and friends took it upon themselves to form search parties and went out to sea to locate the missing men.However, after returning empty handed on numerous occasions, a report was officially made to the relevant police station on August 21, notifying law enforcement officers of the incident.Today, the local Coast Guards are expected to receive reports from their Surinamese counterparts and then proceed with the teams which include Guyanese fishermen to continue their search.According to owner of the boat, Gajadar Bishnauth called Lakeram, of 198 Number 64 village, the men, who were working with him since 1994, left in his 52 x 81/2 -ft. boat named Reshma on the 6th of August for a 8-10 days trip at sea.They would usually fish in Surinamese waters. He said the men left well loaded with everything, and the ration, boat, engine and seine cost about $4.5M.Bisnauth stated that when more than 10 days had passed and the men had not returned, he started to make enquiries and was told that a boat was spotted at Caroni in Suriname. After he made further enquiries he decided to make the trip and was horrified when he saw his empty boat on the foreshore. The boat was devoid of everything.“No engine, no fishing gear, no stove,Wholesale Authentic NFL Jerseys, no foodstuff, absolutely nothing was found,” the distraught man had related. (Kristen Macklingam) |
