Single mom of 9 evicted

A Las Lomas family is now homeless and seeking justice after their concrete dwelling was completely demolished by four unknown men, who also confiscated the family’s galvanise roofing in the process, around 3 pm on Thursday. According to police reports, Sandra Samaroo, a single parent mother of nine children was forced to evacuate her home when a woman, allegedly the widow of the deceased landowner, arrived on the property with four men who began breaking down Samaroo’s home located at LP 215, Las Lomas #1, Chin Chin Road, Cunupia.

The woman’s valuables including furniture, appliances and clothing were thrown into the road and the children, all of whom were home at the time had to flee the house as the walls and roof caved in behind them, reports revealed. Speaking to Sunday Newsday, Samaroo said that she looked on helplessly as the men, after demolishing her home, loaded sheets of galvanise that formed the roof onto their van and drove off. She said that her mother, now deceased, had been paying rent for the land since 1961. She said that when her mother died, she continued payments and up until recently, the landowner’s wife had been rejecting the monies paid.

Two weeks ago, after repeated verbal warnings to leave the land, Samaroo received a “notice to quit” or have “legal” action taken against her and her family. “There is nothing on the letter to state that it (letter) is legal. It was addressed to me to quit and deliver up this parcel of land which I hold and occupy as a licencee. It said that failing to comply with this notice, legal proceedings will be taken against me to eject me,” said a distressed Samaroo. “I have no place to go.” Samaroo lives on social welfare. She is unemployed and mother of six girls, one of whom is disabled, and three boys. Their ages range from five to 18. Samaroo, along with five of her children, was taken in by a nearby resident. Four of the girls were taken in by another family. She has since contacted a lawyer and the area representative, MP for Caroni East, Ganga Singh, who has promised to assist.