Penal couple chopped

CHRISTMAS will today greet three children praying for their parents, who were yesterday fighting for their lives at the San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH) after they were mercilessly chopped about their bodies in a brutal attack at their home in Penal. Police are yet to determine the motive behind the chopping of brush-cutter Hardeo Ramlakhan, 35, and his wife, Rajendai, 31. The couple was chopped over 20 times in the wee hours of yesterday morning at Sunrees Branch Road. Ramlakhan’s right hand and four of his fingers were chopped off, while his wife’s ear was almost severed. Police believe the brutal attack on the couple was an act of vengeance.

Penal police yesterday questioned a man in connection with the chopping, but he was subsequently released. Police said that the attack was so crude that Rajendai had to get 100 stitches to one of her hands. Both husband and wife underwent emergency surgery at the SFGH but up to late yesterday doctors were still attempting to re-attach Ramlakhan’s hand. The incident occurred around 2.10 am, shortly after the couple and their three children — Niala, 12, Leela, nine and Shalini, three, had returned home from a wake in the village on Penal Rock Road. Police said that the attack came when Ramlakhan was walking from an outhouse towards the steps of his house.

A man emerged from the bushes with a cutlass, police said, and began chopping Ramlakhan. On hearing Ramlakhan screams, police said, Rajendai scampered down the steps towards her husband, but the assailant confronted her. Police said the assailant dragged the woman to where her husband body lay in a pool of blood, and began chopping her as well. Police said the man  only stopped his attack on the couple when he was confronted by Rajendai’s brother-in-law, Mohess Harripersad, who lived next door. The man then disappeared into some bushes. Sgt Palloo and Cpl Monseque of the Penal Police Station are heading investigations.