PIRATES robbed the captains and crews of three fishing boats just off the shore of Leguan island, in Essequibo, on Wednesday afternoon. One of the victims, Arjune Inderdeo called ‘Navin’, 32, of Met-en-Meerzorg, West Coast Demerara, told the Guyana Chronicle that, about 17:30 hrs, he had just dropped anchor at Leguan Point when he observed a speedboat approaching but thought nothing of it since many such would pass by.
However, he said as the boat was nearing, it slowed, went past him and then, suddenly, turned back. Then he realised the men on board it were robbers.
The veteran fisherman said three men, brandishing cutlasses, ordered himself and his crew member brother, Latchan Inderdeo to loose off their engine quickly.
He said, when he hesitated, the attackers, who had wrapped their faces to disguise, became impatient and hit him across his back several times with their weapons, declaring they did not have time to waste and made off with his 15 horse power (hp) ‘Yamaha’ engine, two headlights and fuel.
Inderdeo said one of the men who robbed him is slim built while the other is burly and seemed to be head of the gang as he was giving the orders.
The captain said, in all his 16 years at sea, this is the first time he suffered a robbery while fishing and it was a dreadful experience.
           
WERE DRIFTING
He said, after the pirates left, they were drifting and had to break the wooden bench in their boat to use as a paddle. They paddled frantically until they reached some bushes and pulled into where they saw cane fields and met some residents at Leguan.
On the island, they were able to use a telephone and inform their loved ones, as well, of their plight. They were taken to Leguan Police Station where they made a report.
As news of the attack spread yesterday, in the villages of Met-en-Meerzorg and Zeeburg, also on West Coast Demerara, other
fisherfolks told the Guyana Chronicle they observed a boat painted in blue with an ‘OM’ sign printed on the bow and the name covered, with three men passing along the foreshore at about 17:30 hrs Wednesday, just prior to the three fishing boats leaving to fish in the Atlantic Ocean.
Inderdeo, who was transported home yesterday by a friend who journeyed to Leguan, said the vessel described is the same one that the robbers used Wednesday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Police Crime Chief, Seelall Persaud confirmed that the captains and crews were the victims of pirates on Wednesday.
He identified the others as Vicky Singh, Arjune Inderdeo and Krishnadat Misir.
At the home of Misir, his niece, Mala acknowledged that they received a telephone call from him on Wednesday night, stating that they were robbed and that they were all assisting the Leguan Police with investigations.
Misir said all three fishing boats left the West Coast Demerara foreshore the same time on Wednesday.
Boat owner Singh, who was at Misir’s residence yesterday, said his craft ‘Angie’ was equipped with a borrowed 25 hp engine and it was taken by the pirates, together with fuel.
Between February 3 and 4 this year, pirates operating off the coast of Pomeroon River launched an overnight assault on 15 fishing boats, carting off with their catch, seines, engines and other booty.
Those fishermen detailed their experiences, relating that they were repeatedly beaten and locked in a small cabin for many hours before they were released and later rescued.