Duo charged with Murder of Berbice farmer

Georgetown: Gobin Balram, a 60-year-old rice farmer and Jerry Pirtam, a 25-year-old labourer, both residents of Corentyne Berbice were on Friday remanded to prison for the murder 40-year-old rice and cattle farmer Parmanand Lakeram called ‘Fancy and Bachand’, who was shot and killed at the Number 67 Backdam, Corentyne Berbice on January 30.

Dead: Parmanand Lakeram called “Fancy and Bachand,”

The men were not required to plea to the charge when they appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

The duo were remanded until February 25, 2020, and the case was transferred to the Springlands Magistrate’s Court.

Reports indicate that Lakeram and two of his workers ventured into the backdam to check on his pump and at about 20:30hrs, when they heard a motorcycle approaching and noticed the headlight.

At the time, Lakeram was untying two cows and he reportedly told his workers to hide while he investigated. As he walked towards the motorcycle, several shots were fired striking Lakeram about seven times across his body.

Upon hearing the gunshots, the two workers reportedly ran in different directions, as gunfire continued into the air.

After the motorcycle sped off, the two workers rushed to Lakeram’s assistance and subsequently came out of the back dam and alerted family members who informed the Police.

Before succumbing to his injuries, the injured man reportedly told the workers who shot him.