Place of worship desecrated

“That is where I do my prayers every day,” said an irate Iris Sookoo, 57, of Seukeran Trace, Siparia Old Road, Fyzabad.

“How could they do that?” The desecration, Sookoo said, is an attempt by certain people to get her off the land she has occupied for several years. She said that on Monday evening, she returned home to find the flagpoles strewn in the mud on the ground and items from the hut broken and scattered. Sookoo said those behind the vandalism are trying to get to her by attacking her religion.

Showing documents, Sookoo explained that in 2015, a dispute over a parcel of land she occupied for several years had been settled in court and she was given the right to live on the land until she can purchase.

“My flags cannot be removed just like that.

There must be prayers,” she explained. “My spiritual father must be there before those flags can be taken out.

“They even mash up my prayer vessels and other items and scatter the pieces on the ground.” Sookoo said the latest persecution began two Sundays ago, when she left home to go to the Siparia Health facility and while there, was told a demolition crew was in her yard.

Sookoo said they used a backhoe to break down her gate and totally demolish her house, which was under construction.

The damage has been estimated around $90,000. She reported the matter to the Siparia police, but so far no one has been held. Sookoo, a contractor, said it was the second time in two years that she has lost her home and she is living in fear for her life.

In February 2015, her house on the same piece of land was fire-bombed and she suffered extensive losses, including vehicles. No one was charged.

“The land matter went to court and was settled. I now start rebuilding and this is what happen again. I want the police to intervene before the worse happens.” She is now staying with relatives. A senior officer at the Siparia police station said the matter was being investigated.