Three out of five men who were on Friday charged at the Springlands Court with attempted murder and two counts of discharging a loaded firearm have been remanded to prison.
The men, Dennis ‘Diggles’ Veerasammy, 34, Mohamed Haroon Shaw, called ‘Tali-ban,’ 38, a rice farmer, Zaheer Ullah, called ‘Julie,’ 32, all of Crabwood Creek, reportedly shot Bijai Ramdass. Magis-trate Krishndat Persaud issued arrest warrants for two others, Samuel Intiaz Shaw and Ramsammy Angalallum, who are also jointly charged with the crime but were not present in court when the charge was read.
They are also accused of “discharging a loaded firearm with intent” at Hazrat Ibra-him, 16 and Jagdeo ‘Anand’ Ramdass. The incidents reportedly took place at the Crabwood Creek backdam.
Police Prosecutor Sergeant Michael Grant made a request for bail to be refused on the grounds of the nature and gravity of the charges and the fact that Bijai Ramdass was still hospitalized in a serious condition. He submitted too that if granted bail there is a likelihood that the defendants, who were unrepresented, would not return for trial.
The magistrate then refused the men bail and ordered the men to return to court on February 2 for report.
Reports are that Ramdass went to the farmland to harvest his plantains when Ibrahim, his employee, suffered a minor injury after his foot was caught in a fishing hook trap. They were forced to leave and on their way out, two men were sitting at the corner of the trench and one threw out a tube, which hooked on to Ramdass’s boat.
His brother, Jagdeo, had ridden ahead on a motorcycle and was stopped by the men, who inquired of his whereabouts. Unaware of their motive, his brother indicated to them that he was coming in the boat.
Ramdass was subsequently showered with pellets while Ibrahim, who was also injured during the ordeal, and Jagdeo escaped on foot. Reports are that Ramdass reached for his cutlass and chopped one of the men on his shoulder.
However, the defendants’ relatives are denying that they were responsible for the attack and are alleging that the shots were fired by Ramdass’ relative.
