A Corentyne rice farmer, who is accused of being a cattle thief, was evening gunned down in the Number 67 Village, Corentyne backlands on Thursday, while allegedly stealing two cows.
The body of Parmanand Lakeram, also known as ‘Bachan’, 45, of Lot 52, Number 68 Village, Corentyne, was removed from the backlands yesterday morning by police. The body is presently at the Skeldon Hospital awaiting an autopsy.
Lakeram reportedly suffered multiple gunshot injuries to his head, belly and other parts of his body.
As of yesterday, the two workmen, who were allegedly with Lakeram at the time of the shooting, were also detained at the Springlands Police Station assisting with the investigation.
According to a police source, a “main suspect” has since been arrested. The source said that one of Lakeram’s workmen, who was hiding in some bushes, alleged that he heard Lakeram calling the name of a person known to them during the attack.
Lakeram and the two workers headed to the backdam late Thursday afternoon to check on the water pumps leading to his rice fields. They left in Lakeram’s truck, GGG 9251, which was converted from a minibus.
However, while en route to the rice field, the men reportedly saw two cows grazing and decided to stop.
The source said it is alleged that the deceased and his workmen are known to capture unbranded cattle and then claim ownership. “We think these persons probably trace them knowing they does thief the cattle,” he said.
The source noted that based on the workmen’s statements, they were in the bushes herding the cattle when they saw the light of a motorcycle approaching.
They told investigators that Lakeram told them to stay put while he checked who was approaching. However, upon checking, he was met with a hail of bullets.
The source said that based on information received, it is believed that two persons were present on the motorcycle during the attack.
The source reported that nothing was stolen from Lakeram or his vehicle.
Meanwhile, the two workmen, who claimed they hid in the bushes throughout the evening, only ventured out yesterday morning and then informed Lakeram’s relatives of the attack.
Lakeram’s brother, Omesh Lakeram, 47, a cash crop farmer, said that around 8.30 am yesterday, the two workmen informed him that his brother was shot in the backdam. “Them run out and come tell we and me take me bus and go,” he recounted.
After arriving, he saw his brother in a seated position bracing on one of the rear wheels of his truck.
Omesh said he is not aware why anyone would want to harm his brother since he does not know of him having issues with anyone. “We ah walk any hour and in this whole country we can go and sit down and drink; we na get problem,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lakeram, who has been a rice farmer for the last 20 years, is the father of four children, one of whom suffers from a brain dysfunction. According to one relative, “Everything them does got to do for he—bathe him, ready him, wipe him, feed him, everything.” The child is 10 years old.
