THE life of 12-year-old Bhopaul Romjan of Lot 31 Number 54 Village, Corentyne, Berbice has been drastically changed for the worse since June 17, 2013, when the Region Six lad sustained burns on the entire length of his body allegedly sustained through the vindictive actions of a jealous village bully.

Bhopaul is constantly in tremendous pain, and despite undergoing numerous surgeries, is still unable to do anything for himself, except barely being able to walk.

His mother, Nalini Ragnauth, told the Guyana Chronicle that, on June 17, 2013, a 16-year-old villager and two other youths had taken her son away from his cousin’s home, located a short distance from his, and at where he had gone to play. These older youths forced Bhopaul to walk to the backdam, where they first beat him, then forced him to climb a utility pole and touch a live wire.

He was burnt beyond repair, and thereafter was thrown into a nearby trench, where mud was rubbed on his body and he was left to die.

Ragnauth said that, at about midday on that fateful day, she received the news that her son was at the Skeldon Hospital, and she went to that health institution to see what had happened, whereupon she saw her child in a dreadful condition.

She said he related to her what had transpired, and that he had been transported to the medical institution after he was found unconscious in the backdam.

The woman disclosed that her son’s condition is critical, and that he had been referred to the New Amsterdam Hospital before being transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital on account of the seriousness of his burns.

She explained that the ordeal has left her son badly disfigured and seriously traumatized. He is always screaming out in horror and pain; and as recently as yesterday, he was taken to the Skeldon Hospital to be treated for pains in his stomach.

Ragnauth said, “He (her son) is not normal anymore; he is like a vegetable, given the extent of his injuries from the burns and beating he suffered at the hands of (those teenagers). The family has to do everything for him.”

She admitted that it is sometimes very difficult to look at him in his present condition, because he is in so much pain all the time and there isn’t much she can do to help.

The woman is asking for justice for her child. She noted that the incident has devastated his life and has taken away very much from her family.

She said that precious little has been done by the police in terms of investigating and prosecuting the perpetrators of this dastardly act; and she believes the relatives of the 16-year-old have paid a bribe to a specific police officer (name provided) investigating the report and he has swept the matter under the proverbial carpet.

She said the teen is roaming free while her son is lying in bed crying out in excruciating pain, and nothing is being done by the police, who showed up at her house only on Friday to say that they would return to take Bhopaul for a medical report.

Ragnauth said she has to journey to the Georgetown Pubic Hospital (GPHC) three times a week for her son’s burns to be dressed, and she is finding this task very difficult because of the quantum of expenses involved.

Her husband works in the backdam as a farmer and they have three other children to care for, but they make do with the little they have.

Ragnauth said she is distressed at what has happened to her son, and seeing him in that state every day is very disturbing to her, since merely walking poses a serious challenge for him.

She explained that what has befallen her son is a vengeful act by the teen perpetrator, who was upset when he had learnt that a villager had gifted Bhopaul a toy car which the perpetrator had desired to have. He had reportedly told others that her son would be made to pay for accepting the car as a gift.

Bhopaul’s condition prevents him from attending school, thus he spends most of his days in bed at home or in hospital. Already, he has undergone countless surgeries. His wounds ooze blood all the time, and his pain is almost unbearable.

Ragnauth is appealing to all the relevant authorities to take appropriate action in service of justice.

Contacted for a comment yesterday, ‘B’ Division Commander Brian Joseph was indisposed, since he was attending the funeral of the late Assistant Police Commissioner Deryck Josiah.
Written By Michel Outridge