A man wanted over a 2023 murder at Granny Landing, Omai Backdam was arrested yesterday at Agatash in Region Seven.
Heimraj James called ‘Ricky’, a 55-year-old chainsaw operator had been wanted in connection with the chopping death of Perry Budhram, a miner.
In a statement, the police said that at about 11:04 am yesterday, acting on information received, Senior Superintendent Dion Moore, Commander for Regional Police Division #7, coordinated a successful operation in Agatash during which the murder suspect was arrested and three unlicensed shotguns were found.
Moore led a team of police ranks from Bartica Police Station to the home of Frederick Singh, a 71-year-old farmer of Agatash to apprehend James.
On arrival, one of the ranks contacted James. He was told of the allegation levelled against him, cautioned and arrested. The police said that under caution, he admitted that on 14th October 2023 at Granny Landing he was involved in an altercation with Budram and he chopped him and Budram later died.
The ranks conducted searches in and around Singh’s home and at the bottom of his house, where three shotguns (a 16-gauge and two 12-gauge shotguns) along with six 12-gauge cartridges were found.
Singh was interviewed during which he admitted ownership of the firearms and ammunition. He said that he used the shotguns for hunting purposes. He was cautioned and arrested.
Both suspects were later escorted to the Bartica Police Station.
Budhram, of Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara, was chopped on his arms allegedly after making remarks about a miner’s mother.
According to a police release, Budhram and two co-workers went to Granny Landing on October 14 last year at about 12.00 hours, where they purchased a case of beer and began to imbibe.
At about 15.00 hours, Budhram told his co-workers that he was going to “pick a fare”. An hour later, the two co-workers decided to head back to camp and called for Budhram, who reportedly told them that he was not returning.
An eyewitness recalled that around 17.45 hours the next day, October 15, he saw Budhram run behind his shop in a bent double. He immediately investigated and saw that he had wounds on each of his arms.
The witness said Budhram told him that a man had chopped him. The witness then assisted him by tying the wounds with cloth. He told the police that he later saw James and asked him if he knew who had chopped Budhram. He said James responded that Budhram had also chopped him and told him about his mother. Budhram, meanwhile, who had been placed to lie down near a truck, had become motionless prompting the witness to contact the police.
Budhram was taken to Mahdia District Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. A wanted bulletin was subsequently issued for James.
