Eighteen-year-old Berbice police constable, Sham Kumar Persaud of Chapel Street, New Amsterdam was yesterday discovered by his mother hanging around 03:30 pm in his room.
The mother, Jasmatie Goberdhan Dhanraj, who is a nurse at the New Amsterdam Hospital, was inconsolable when she spoke with Stabroek News yesterday. She explained that when she returned from work yesterday afternoon she thought Persaud was still sleeping since he was out the night before with some friends. She finished up her chores and then proceeded to check on Persaud when she discovered him with a rope around his neck.
The devastated woman said she immediately checked for a pulse but could not find one and that was when she started to beg “That he wake up and talk to her”. After the alarm was raised neighbours rushed over and lent emotional support. Persaud’s older brother, Havendra Kumar Persaud, told Stabroek News that after he came home and got the message he phoned Persaud’s girlfriend who is currently overseas to inform her. He relayed, that the girlfriend told him that she was video chatting earlier in the day with the police constable and that they had argued over her getting a new piercing.
“She tell me that around 09:30 am he video chat and tell her watch wah he going and do and that he did already hook up the sheet on the beam and tie it around his neck but she turn away and cut off the phone”.
This is not the first time the family has had to deal with a tragedy. Dhanraj’s eldest son has been missing since May.
Meanwhile, Commander of B Division, Ian Amsterdam, who visited the scene, comforted family members and expressed his sympathy on behalf of himself, the division and the police force. Amsterdam subsequently told Stabroek News that this incident shows that policemen and women are human beings like everyone else. According to Amsterdam, on Friday he met with the new ranks on the Corentyne and urged them during his speech to tell him personally if anything is bothering them. He explained that a few of them stepped forward, however, Persaud was not one of them.
Two hundred new police constables were dispatched throughout the country a few weeks ago. Persaud was one out of the 41 who went to Berbice. Persaud was to be told where he would be stationed today.
According to a PAHO/WHO report, Guyana has the highest rate of suicide in the world. If you, or any one you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, you can contact the suicide helpline to receive assistance.
The Inter Agency Suicide Prevention Help Line can be accessed through the following:
Telephone: 223-0818, 223-0009 and 223-0001
Mobile: 600-7896 or 623-4444
Email: moc.oohay@ycnegayug
BBM: 2BE55649 or 2BE56020
Twitter: @guyanaagency
Whatsapp: 600-7896 or 623-4444
Facebook: Guyana Interagency Suicide Prevention Help Line
