Latest update March 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jan 19, 2011 News
Mystery surrounds the death of a Guyanese man who like many of his countrymen, flock to French Guiana to make a living.
No one knows for sure if 42-year old Ramdat Ramrattan, who disappeared in the river between Albina and French Guiana, drowned or was hit by a bullet fired by security officials on the Suriname border.
At the time of his disappearance last Saturday night, Ramrattan was with a relative and a few other Guyanese illegal immigrants who were trying to avoid arrest by the Surinamese security.
His family in Guyana received the tragic news via telephone on Monday night from a relative who was with him and who eluded capture.
Tularam Sarjoo, a brother of the missing man, told Kaieteur News that Ramrattan left Guyana sometime over the past weekend on his way to French Guiana where he hoped to find work in the fishing industry.
Sarjoo said that he later received word that Ramrattan had died, but the circumstances surrounding his demise were conflicting.
Another brother of Ramrattan, whose son was with him when he reportedly disappeared, told this newspaper that on Saturday night, a group of Guyanese were on the Suriname/French Guiana border with a view to crossing into the French territory.
However they were confronted by security personnel who discharged a few rounds at them to effect their arrest. But rather than be taken into custody, the men plunged into the river and began swimming.
The brother said that the men eventually reached the French side, but Ramrattan was missing.
But Sarjoo is still not convinced about that particular version of how things played out leading to his brother’s disappearance.
“First dey seh, dey de swimming across from Suriname to Cayenne and he go down in de river. Ram could swim. Me and he used to swim across de Mahaica River,” Sarjoo told this newspaper.
He said that he received another report that his brother was shot by Surinamese police.
He believes that his brother’s nephew, who was with Ramrattan on the ill-fated journey, could provide clearance on what really happened.
“We believe something going on. Me brother went to Cayenne before and mek a nice lil hustle for de holidays,” Sarjoo stated.
Up to yesterday, Ramrattan’s body had not been recovered.
Family members said that even if the body is recovered, they will not be bringing it back to Guyana.
Listen to the man that is throwing Guyanese bright future away
Mar 19, 2024
Kaieteur Sports – The Dennis DeoRoop-trained horse, Stolen Money, dominated the field to claim victory in the feature event at the Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club, Bush Lot East Berbice on...Kaieteur News – The government has embarked on an ambitious infrastructure development spree. It has initiated major... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Waterfalls Magazine – In 2024, a series of general elections in Latin American countries, including... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]