Another piracy attack in Suriname leaves one dead
As Police hunt suspects in the weekend piracy attack in which 16 Guyanese men are feared dead, authorities have confirmed another attack off the coast of Suriname.
The latest attack reportedly took place Wednesday evening in the Matapica area and there are reports that one man has been killed. Surinamese Police and Army are investigating.
News Room has been reliably informed that Police in Suriname have arrested a man whom fishermen have handed over in connection with last weekend’s attack.
While police remain tight-lipped on the details of the man in custody, scores of persons flocked the Police Station in Niew Amsterdam, Suriname, to get a glimpse and express their disgust and anger. They had to be controlled by Police from giving the man a sound thrashing.
News Room had reported that Surinamese Police and Army have undertaken both sea and aerial patrols to find the men as detectives in Guyana hunt those suspected to have attacked the fishermen aboard their vessels and them dumping them in the high seas.
The body of one man, Ganesh Persaud, 29, of No.2 Village, East Canje, Berbice, has so far been recovered.
According to one of the survivors, Darmendrew Persaud, when the pirates boarded the four fishing vessels they said their intention was to “kill.”
Persaud said the men fired shots in their direction and inflicted several chops about their bodies as well as hit them with bamboo. Not satisfied, the men then tied them to the anchor, batteries and other heavy items and ordered them to jump overboard.
Those who refused to comply were chopped and thrown out forcefully. The boats were then destroyed after the catch and other valuables were looted.
The other persons who were identified as missing are Vicky Persaud 23; Ramesh Sanchara, 51; Ralph Anthony Couchman, 19; Glenroy Jones, 19; Tikaknauth Mohabir, 50; Randy Burnette, 19; Bharat Heeralall; and Bobby Ibrahim.
On Wednesday, Guyana’s Police Commissioner David Ramnarine said that the Guyana Police Force is working in close cooperation with their Surinamese counterparts to find the pirates.