Senior Reporter
jensen.lavende@guardian.co.tt
The mother of murdered businesswoman Tricia Maharaj is calling on business owners—particularly women—to be allowed to arm themselves for protection.
Speaking with Guardian Media at her daughter’s Riverside Road, St Joseph home yesterday, Cindy Baliram described the men who killed her daughter as “cowards” who had previously threatened her.
“She made numerous reports to the St Joseph Police Station of threats being made to her, and nothing was really done. They would just take the report and leave it at that. They are cowards. Because who would shoot down a woman and then run? They are cowards,” she said.
Police reported that around 3.35 pm on Wednesday, occupants of a gold-coloured Nissan Tiida pulled up outside Maharaj’s home after a woman called inquiring about a car for sale. When Maharaj went outside, a gunman exited the vehicle and shot her several times before re-entering the car and fleeing the scene.
Relatives said threats against Maharaj escalated after prior threats were made against her mother, who said she believes women business owners should have the legal means to defend themselves.
“My advice to the Government is to give businesswomen legal firearms, just like males. Businesswomen should be equipped to defend themselves in situations like that. If I had one, I would have been able to defend my daughter,” she said.
The 36-year-old mother of three was killed one day before her eldest child’s 19th birthday. Baliram said her daughter’s success as an entrepreneur may have contributed to her being targeted.
Maharaj was the owner of D Duck Farm, an online pastry business, and also operated as a landlady and used-car dealer.
“Because she’s successful, she’s beautiful, I think people feel she acquired too much. But she worked day and night. She would sell pineapples, she would sell coconut water, and I would be right there with her sometimes. She would give anything to anybody,” Baliram said.
“I just hope whoever is responsible for this is brought to justice,” she added.
Baliram also responded to criticism circulating about her daughter, urging restraint.
“People who don’t know what went on and don’t know my daughter, keep your mouths shut. Don’t judge somebody based on what you think. Have compassion for people when they are facing situations like this,” she said.
Baliram and other residents described Maharaj as a warm and generous person. Her mother said she will especially miss hugging her, dancing with her and going to the river together.
Maharaj is the sixth woman to be murdered so far this year.
