INDRAWATTIE Somwar, called “Sharda” of Number 77 Housing Scheme, Corentyne, Berbice was on Tuesday hacked to death as she tried to escape a violent confrontation with her reputed husband.

Her brutal end comes as Guyana joins countries the world over in observing International Women’s Day.

Somwar and Ravindra Bandu, called “Birdie”, according to reports, had shared an eight year common-law relationship which was abusive, with Somwar at the receiving end.

A neighbour told the Guyana Chronicle that when she heard the quarrel on Tuesday, she thought that it was the usual thing, but it quickly escalated to extreme violence.

Reports say Somwar realised that the situation was getting out of control and tried to escape from her home by running out of the yard.

But her reputed husband followed her and dealt her several chops about the body. She reportedly fell before she reached the gate and her attacker continued to chop her in the head until she stopped moving.

By this time, the police were alerted and they responded promptly. Bandu was apprehended and taken into custody.
The neighbour alleged that Bandu appeared proud of what he did, since in laughter, he reportedly blurted out, “Ayo ever see a man chop up a woman and mek all she teeth fly out she mouth.”

He allegedly added: “She deserve more than dah.”

The woman was chopped several times about her face, neck and head, causing her teeth to separate from her mouth.
Another person who lives close to the couple described the attacker as a jealous and abusive man, who always threatened to kill his wife.

“Birdie always jealous. He never want see Sharda talk to nobody; he always beat she up after and does threaten fuh kill she,” the man said.

Sister of the deceased woman, Oma Somwar, 40, on hearing the news, rushed to the scene. She described her sister as a very quiet, peaceful and hardworking mother to her two daughters, aged 13 and 17, from another relationship.
The woman, with tears in her eyes, related that her sister used to work several jobs to support her children, while Bandu is unemployed.

“Sharda does wuk two three jobs fuh support Birdy and them two gal… he only a drink rum and wann cuss up she when she come home…. He does beat she and seh he guh kill she but me never expect he fuh do it.”

Oma was told of the tragedy by her niece, who was at home at the time of the incident.

When she arrived at the scene, she saw her sister’s motionless body in a pool of blood. Soon after, scores of persons converged at the home of the now dead woman with many expressing disbelief at Bandu’s action. Some offered comfort to the Somwar family.

The incident occurred around 17:00 hrs and the suspect is in custody at the Springlands Police Station. He is expected to be charged for murder soon.