Murdered schoolgirl’s family wants bush cut

In May last year, the villagers of Spring Trace had cast blame on the corporation for the murders of Lakhan and her aunt Tarmatee Toolsie.

Their decomposed bodies were found a mile apart from each other at Spring Trace, Fyzabad Branch Road.

Yesterday, the residents claimed that numerous appeals to the corporation to cut overgrown bush and install street lights have fallen on deaf ears. Lakhan, 16, a student of the Palo Seco Secondary School, was discovered in a forested area one month after she was reported missing.

Even though residents said they wanted street lights, Lakhan’s sister Sumatie, 23, said yesterday that street lights have been installed, but the bush on the side of the road remains uncut.

“The same area where my sister’s body was discovered is now high with grass. The grass is almost seven feet high and we are scared that another incident would occur in the area. Anyone could be hiding in those bushes waiting to pounce on children walking in this area. We do not know if the authorities are waiting on someone else to be harmed,” Sumatie said.

Responding to the residents’ concerns, councillor Bobby Balliram said he made recommendations to the Ministry of Works and Transport, Highway Division, and was awaiting a reply.