Arson suspect still at large
POLICE were yesterday, up to press time, still on the hunt for Naresh Seepersaud, who fled the scene with a bag of clothing after setting a fire which destroyed his family home at Lot 3921 Westminister, Phase Two, La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, leaving his reputed wife and five children homeless. The whereabouts of the fugitive remained unknown but police speculated that it is just a matter of time before he is apprehended.
Seepersaud, who resided in the upper flat of the two-storey building, lit the mattresses afire after a domestic dispute with his spouse, Swarsattie Mootoo, who lived downstairs where she operated a small grocery.
Representatives of the Guyana Relief Council (GRC) visited the woman since and pledged to support  her and the also displaced children, at a later date, with clothing etc.
Seepersaud escaped after starting the blaze and stood at the entry and exit door, with a piece of wood, threatening to beat anyone who attempted to salvage anything.
The whole family, originally, occupied the concrete and wooden house but, presently, Seepersaud dwelled upstairs, exclusively, while Mootoo and the children were the lower flat occupants, for the past three years.
Mootoo had approached the court because she was tired of being abused by Seepersaud, over the past seven years they were living together. Only last Monday, he had been put on a one year bond, having been convicted on charges of abuse and threatening behaviour.
The 31-year-old woman said she is determined to start over and will not let the disaster halt progress in her life but she wants Seepersaud brought to justice for the arson that has deprived her and her children of their little worldly possessions.
It was the second such disaster in the community this month, following the April 11 conflagration which caused the destruction of a house, at La Parfait Harmonie, as well, in which two children were burnt to death.