Residents of No. 55 Village, Corentyne are calling on law enforcement officials to take a closer look at the main suspect in the chopping and burning to death of Mahendra Ghanie, 21.
Villagers fear two men who have gone missing and were closely connected to cattle farmer and businessman, Bharrat Ramsaywack, 42, may have been murdered.
On Tuesday, Ramsaywack, his teenage son and Mohanlall Sewsankar 19, a laborer of No. 55 Village were jointly charged with the murder of the block maker who resided at Bloomfield Village with his family.
‘Tappir man’ as he is famously known, mysteriously disappeared three years ago. Prior to his disappearance, he would frequently visit Ramsaywack. Several inquiries were made to the businessman about the man’s whereabouts but residents were told he was overseas.
This was corroborated by the missing man’s wife whose only name was given as ‘Batitta’.
The woman in question spoke to this news entity and said her husband was overseas for the past three years. “He is in London USA,” she said.
Appearing very nervous while she was being questioned by a reporter of this online news entity, she related that her husband calls her every day.
The suspect was contracted to build the couple’s bridge when ‘Batitta’ came into contact with him and the two developed a close relationship. Soon after the woman’s husband started visiting the man at his home, which is located in a remote area. Then he went missing without a trace, according to villagers.
A request was made to the missing man’s wife for a photograph of him but was denied. She was reluctant to give any additional information about her husband, whom she shares two children with.
Villagers say that the man has not contacted any of his friends nor has anyone reported seeing him abroad.
Another, person from the community who villagers say once lived with Ramsaywack is ‘Palie’ only name given. He has not been seen or heard from for the past eight months, according to residents.
‘Palie’ reportedly originated from the East Coast of Demerara and had been living in the village for several years assisting Ramsaywaack with his cattle until an incident between the two and he was asked to leave.
Inquiries were also made by villagers about, ‘Palie’ but Ramsaywack allegedly told them he was at sea.
Villagers are calling the police to take a closer look into this matter, noting a missing person’s report was filed for ‘Palie’ and no investigation was launched.
A close friend of the suspect, Rickraj Poonai also called ‘Cajo’ of had visited the home of the accused less than 12 hours before Ghanie was murdered.
His visit has raised suspicion among villagers who are questioning whether the man is more knowledge of the crime his friend committed than he claims.
Meanwhile, the trio which is now in custody had told investigators that Ghanie was accused of stealing two of Ramsaywack’s goats and one of them lashed him with a piece of wood to the head allegedly resulting in his death.
In an attempt to dispose of the body they chopped it into pieces and then took it to the side of the yard on Monday evening and used dried coconuts and dried palm branches to burn it.