–family of woman forced to consume poison urges others to speak out

ABUSE, in any form, is unacceptable and should not be tolerated by any section of society, especially since it could be mentally and physically detrimental to the victims who, because of emotional attachments, sometimes choose to endure it instead of reporting the act or leaving before it’s too late.
The United Nations (UN) defines abuse as physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviours that frighten, intimidate, terrorise, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure, or wound someone.
Domestic abuse especially, could happen to anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender. It can occur within a range of relationships including couples who are married, living together or dating. In relationships, the intimacy and emotions often cloud the victim’s judgment and even make the indicators of abuse invisible although they could be serious warning signs of a catastrophe in the making.
The family and friends of 27-year-old, Sattie ‘Vanie’ Jagmohan, believe that had she heeded those very indicators in her marriage and “left before it was too late,” she probably would have been alive today.
The young mother of lot 24 ‘A,’ Cotton Tree, Wes Coast Berbice, after more than eight years of marriage to her husband, Ramesh Nandalall, became a casualty of abuse on February 17, 2021, when she succumbed at the New Amsterdam Hospital, two weeks after forcibly ingesting poison.
It was reported that 28-year-old Nandalall had threatened Jagmohan with a cutlass and forced her to drink a poisonous substance. The Guyana Chronicle understands, however, that this was merely the climax which followed brutal acts.

According to information reaching this publication, Nandalall slammed his wife into a wall, then kicked and punched her several times before finally placing a cutlass to her neck and forcing her to ingest poison. All of this was reportedly done in the presence of their three children.
The man has since been charged with attempted murder, however, this publication understands that the file will be resent for further legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)’s chambers. But, the loss, like a fresh wound, still resonates with the family and friends of Jagmohan.
Deepa Khublall, a former classmate and close friend of Jagmohan for 17 years, said the death of her friend is tragic and painful to digest. In her eyes, however, this tragic incident reinforces the need for victims of abuse to be ‘bold’ and ‘courageous,’ especially when deciding to report such acts or leave a relationship altogether.
Khublall said this advice was shared with Jagmohan on many occasions, but the speculation remains that she could not leave the situation due to poverty and other underlying circumstances.
“She tried a couple of times to leave but whenever she did he would sweet talk her and tell her he would change and not do it again, but when he drinks, is the same thing all over. But her main thing was that she felt because of poverty and recent medical diagnoses, she needed him to provide for her and their three children…she was in constant fear if she goes away because he always threatens her that if she leaves, he would kill her,” Khublall said.
It is for this reason that she reiterated the need for victims of abuse to seek help or try to get out of an abusive relationship. She also suggested that harsher penalties for abusers must be instituted.
“It’s a cycle, it’s gonna keep happening, even though you go back it’s gonna happen again, it takes a lot of courage to leave and not return but no woman should be treated like this. Domestic violence or abuse has been happening for hundreds of years now but it is wrong and we need to make this come to an end. We need justice for our friend and we need strict penalties for all form of abuse,” Khublall reasoned.
Tears flowed from her eyes as she recalled that Jagmohan, on her dying bed, had asked her to take care of her children and assist them in becoming educated, so that they could escape poverty and not be subjected to similar treatment. Khublall has since started a “go fund me” page in order to help raise funds for the three children.
Jagmohan’s mother, Mala Devi Ramlochan, who was inconsolable, said that she was unaware that her daughter was being abused and was shocked when she learnt what happened, since she was told that Nandalall was a “Pugarie” (a Hindu priest that performs religious functions) and, as such, did not expect that from him.
She now has the responsibility of taking care of her three grandchildren with just a roof over her head and a survivor’s pension which she inherited after the death of her husband.
Persons who are desirous of assisting the family can do so via the link http://gf.me/u/zjvdhu or on telephone number 661-2775.