SLEUTHS investigating the double slaying which occurred at Port Mourant, 15 miles off the Corentyne thoroughfare on Thursday, are working on the theory that the incident may have been a retaliatory act, as one of the victims Krisnauth Jagdeo, was recently freed from a murder charge.

Jagdeo was implicated in the vigilante-style killings in which 45-year old Alfred Munroe, alias Iguana Man succumbed to multiple injuries, after he was allegedly beaten by a group of persons at Rose Hall, Corentyne in May last year
Jadgeo was among five persons who faced the capital charge which was subsequently dismissed due to legal technicalities.
Jagdeo, alias Chris, 46,  of Free Yard, Port Mourant ,along with  Seafiel Layne, 48, a  labourer of No 1 Road Corentyne, Berbice, were  shot  in the neck and temple ,respectively, with a shot gun , after the boat in which they were travelling were ambushed by men , one of whom was on horseback.
Their workmates,  David Harpaul, 38,  of Rose Hall Town,  Clement Griffith, 48,  all labourers along with Fazel Abrahim, 25, a mechanic of Port Mourant and Black Bush Polder respectively, are currently in a critical condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and New Amsterdam Hospital respectively, .
Sources close to the investigation revealed that the slayings were planned and the victims were caught unaware resulting in extensive injuries.
Staff at the surgical theatre at the New Amsterdam Hospital worked tirelessly until the wee hours of Friday morning in an attempt to restore the health and well-being of Harpaul, a father of four.
Relatives and curious onlookers flocked the male surgical ward in an effort to get a glimpse of the men whose lives are on the line. Some prayed quietly for a fast recovery.
The Port Mourant Follow-Up is a co-operative society which is managed by three popular businessmen Kris Jagdeo of Jagdeo Construction, Kase ‘Manoj’ Singh of Spready’s Bakery and Pharmacist Poonai Bhirgoon.
The men are involved in extensive rice cultivation in the backlands which is accessible by boat.
Reports are that the deceased men were in the employment of Kris Jagdeo, while the three injured were employed with Singh.
They had finished working and were on their way home in a wooden boat, when they were ambushed and shot at reportedly with shotguns by two men.
David Harpaul, the boat captain, was reportedly shot in the right abdomen. He thereafter telephoned Poonai Bhirgoon and informed him of the situation, motoring for over two miles before boarding the vehicle which he had parked earlier that day. He continued for a similar distance, before losing consciousness.
In the meantime, the businessmen accompanied the ambulance to the scene, allowing the injured to be transported to the Port Mourant Hospital and then transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital. Harpaul was subsequently transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. Meanwhile, police rushed to the scene and found the two deceased men who were hauled from the watery grave.
Investigations are continuing

(By Jeune Bailey Van Keric)