Even as showers of rain beat on their heads, it was not enough to hide the teary eyes of mourners who hobbled behind the casket bearing the body of 27-year-old Shiva “Aries” Ramdeo whose life was cut short by gangsters.
Ramdeo’s body was taken to the Waterloo Cremation site where he reunited with fellow slain fisherman, Anand Rampersad, 39, who was already in the pyre.
Unable to stand, Rampersad’s mother, Samo Jagessar sat still, gazing at the flames that consumed what was once her baby boy.
The two were among six fishing crews who were beaten by bandits, thrown overboard and left for dead as their fishing pirogues were stolen in a series of attacks in the Gulf of Paria between last Monday night and Tuesday morning.
Rampersad, a father of three, was stabbed twice before being thrown overboard. At least six men survived. Rampersad’s body was found floating off the Orange Valley coast on Wednesday. Ramdeo, Leslie De Boulet of Carapichaima and Brandon Kissoon, 21, of McBean, Couva were recovered floating off the South Western peninsular. Kissoon’s cousin, Justin Kissoon, 19, Alex Sooknanan, 18 and Jason Baptiste, 30 of Orange Valley remain missing.
At Ramdeo’s home yesterday, his godfather, Pundit Narine Persad, lamented that there were too many criminals roaming. Persad said those criminals were armed with “very destructive” weapons.
“They have not only killed a son of the home, but they have also killed this entire village. The landscape of this village in terms of lifestyle will certainly change. Too much destruction,” Persad said.
He said prayers can turn things around, but State authorities have to address the situation as there is a need for all to change their way of thinking.
“We have to be more humanitarian.”
Mourners recalled Ramdeo’s love for fishing and asked that he be remembered for the sacrifices that he made for his family, friends and community.
One relative remembered him as a “big brother” to her children.
“He would buy chicken and chips, Subway for Iyesha. No one can take Aries place in my children’s hearts, in my heart and my husband’s heart. Aries was one of a kind and he was an exceptional person. He grew up with me, not as a nephew, but as a son. He is my big son.”
Despite their heavy hearts, the community tried their best to give Ramdeo a festive send-off with Tassa and religious music filling the streets.