By Anna-Lisa Paul Saturday, February 4 2012

Despite a decision by Chaguanas West MP, Jack Warner, to shelve plans to gain national support for the resumption of the death penalty, relatives of murdered Felicity fishermen — Kasinath Ramsaran, Ravi Ramsaran and Pream Squires yesterday questioned the sudden about face.

Relatives of the brothers said Warner appeared passionate about the initiative, but when it was revealed yesterday he had now abandoned those plans to seek support for the on-line petition, they are left to wonder at the reason behind it, and the timing of the announcement.

Kasinath Ramsaran, 31, of Cacandee Road, Felicity; his brother Ravi, 26, of the same address; and Pream Squires, 45 of Maharaj Street, Chaguanas went missing on January 10 after they went on a fishing expedition.

Their bodies were found floating in the Gulf of Paria three days later.

Two men have since been charged in connection with the murders.

Following the murders, the relatives of the three men urged Government to bring back the hangman in the face of spiralling crime, and the surging murder rate. Yesterday, Neisha Martinez, the widow of Kasinath said the families of the brothers continue to experience mixed emotions and were “coping for now.”

Revealing that the mother of the murdered brothers, Rupandai Ramsaran had turned to “selling crabs and shrimps to make ends meet,” Martinez praised Warner as she said he had pledged financial support to the family for three months following which “we have to find a way to support ourselves.”

Martinez said her elder brother-in-law, Munese who was spared death when he was left out from the fishing expedition on January 10 because his right foot had been broken — had not returned to fishing yet.

Asked how the family felt about the announcement by Warner not to continue with the initiative, Martinez said; “We are feeling very hurt.