A Region Five councillor was on Sunday placed under arrest after he allegedly assaulted his cousin at Number 11 Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB).
Nateram Rabindranauth, 54, a vendor of Lot 64 A Woodley Park Village, WCB was rushed to the Fort Wellington Hospital, after he sustained a broken jaw, fractured nose and suffered internal bleeding. Rabindranauth has since been transferred to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, where he is presently admitted.
The accused, Abel Seetaram, 36, of Lot 121 B Woodley Park Village, WCB was subsequently placed under arrest. Seetaram is an Alliance for Change (AFC) member and is employed under a ministry within the region.
The chips vendor yesterday told Stabroek News, that on Sunday around 7 pm he saw his son and Seetaram’s son “in a lil scramble”. Rabindranauth said he decided to “part” the lads when Seetaram arrived at the scene and allegedly “lash me with a piece of wood…When he come me been between them two boys a part them and he run up and just start lash me”.
Rabindranauth said that the regional councillor did not offer any assistance but began telling his cousin how many contacts he had.
“He and he son lef (and said) that them going to the police station”, he said.
Rabindranauth said he and his son then also headed to the police station, where he was provided with a medical document to visit the hospital. From the station, he visited the Fort Wellington Hospital and then returned to the station. However, ranks after noticing his condition worsening decided to take him a second time to the hospital and he was then admitted.
Commander of B Division, Lyndon Alves, when contacted, confirmed that Seetaram is in police custody assisting with investigation. Alves noted, that the police had also detained the two lads who were fighting, however, they have since been released. He further noted that the matter will be thoroughly investigated.
Seetaram, a controversial political figure, has found himself in trouble several times in the past. In May last year he was terminated as the Regional Representative of the Office of the Prime Minister for Region 5, days before he appeared in court to answer to charges of dangerous driving and breach of insurance. It was reported in May last year that Seetaram was driving a government SUV when he crashed into a fence, knocking out some of the uprights which held the shed for several structures at the Bath Market and causing considerable damage.
