A joint search operation involving the Guyana Police Force, Suriname Police Service, relatives and members of the public failed on Tuesday to locate a 14-year-old Corentyne boy feared drowned in the Corentyne River.
Missing is Daveanand Balram, also known as “Ritish” or “Whiteboy,” of Lot 60 Village, Corentyne. The teenager, who had dropped out of school and was working as a labourer, reportedly disappeared while swimming at the Back Track area in Corriverton on Monday.
Police said in a statement that between 16:30hrs and 18:30hrs on Tuesday, ranks of the Guyana Police Force, headed by Detective Inspector M. Fraser, collaborated with members of the Suriname Police Service to locate the missing teenager.
The Surinamese team included Police Inspector Kalidien Prediepkumar, Police Brigadier Balgobin Moenindredew and police agents Rakidjo Marcelino and Smith Budd. The search also involved Daveanand’s mother, friends, other relatives and members of the public.
The search proved unsuccessful, and the Surinamese ranks later departed Guyana for Suriname.
Daveanand’s mother, 32-year-old Gayatree Rambhajan, said the last time she spoke with her son was on 2 July. She said she was informed by telephone on Monday afternoon that he had drowned.
“The person said my son drowned. I asked if they were sure, but the person cut off the phone. Then my husband called and asked if I had heard that our son drowned. I didn’t believe it at first, but then family members started calling and telling me the same thing – that Ritesh, my son drowned,” she said.
According to information she received, Daveanand had gone to the Back Track area with three other boys to learn to swim in the Corentyne River. Rambhajan said she was told her son got into difficulty in the water and held onto a piece of wood while one of the boys sought assistance from a boat operator.
Relatives searched the area from Monday evening into Tuesday but were unable to locate him.
Rambhajan described Daveanand as a caring child who called her almost every day to check on her.
Police investigations into the suspected drowning are ongoing.
