The body of Kemraj Dass, suspected to have been killed by a mate aboard a tug and dumped into the river, was yesterday recovered in the vicinity of a koker at Wales, West Bank Demerara.
Dass known as `Lakeram’ or `Lako’, 47, of Lot 16 Bella Dam, Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara, was said to have boarded a vessel to collect lumber up the Demerara River on Saturday last along with a father and son. It is suspected that an argument ensued between the son and Dass and he was allegedly stabbed and his body dumped overboard.
Police said yesterday in a press release that the body was found and that investigations are ongoing. Crime Chief, Seelall Persaud also told Stabroek News that the suspect will be charged today and is expected to appear in court.
The dead man’s sister, Gaitrie Dass, told this newspaper that her brother’s employer and the owner of the tug, Ganesh Cheddi, and her other brother, Bharrat Dass, yesterday ventured into the river by boat to conduct their own search around 8am. Just two hours later, she said, she received a phone call with the news that her brother’s body was found.
She explained that after spotting the body, the men travelled back and contacted the police who subsequently went to the scene and removed the corpse which is now being kept at the Lykens Funeral Home.
The woman said she felt relieved knowing that her brother could be given a proper farewell.
Bharrat later told this newspaper that a post-mortem examination would be conducted today and that the family have planned a funeral immediately after since the body had deteriorated.
“We had to pay $40,000 to inject something that would help keep the body till tomorrow (today),” the man said.
He noted that Cheddi has offered to stand all expenses associated with Dass’ death, inclusive of the funeral and wake. He further stated that he is satisfied with the co-operation he has gotten from the employer. “We can’t ask for nothing more at this point,” he said.
In an earlier press release, the police stated that they are investigating the suspected murder of Dass which occurred during Saturday night aboard a tug moored alongside a Friendship, East Bank Demerara wharf.
Initial investigations, they said, revealed that Dass and a father and son were aboard a tug which was travelling to a timber grant at Yaruni, up the Demerara River. Around midnight the father awoke and made checks and was told by his son that he had struck Dass to the head, stabbed him and thrown him overboard during an argument. The son was arrested and is in police custody assisting with investigations, police said.
Stabroek News was earlier told by relatives that Dass had left home shortly before 6 pm on Saturday to join the vessel on which he had worked three times before, to retrieve timber at a logging concession at Yaruni up the Demerara River.
