By CECILY ASSON Monday, October 26 2009

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BHAGGAN GOPIE ... killed by enraged labourer...

A man allegedly ran amok in Chaguanas on Saturday, killing one building contractor and physically assaulting several workers after failing to secure employment at a job site in the area.

The murdered victim has been identified as Bhaggan Gopie, 47, a father of three of Stewart Street, Gasparillo.

Police said that at about 7.45 am on Saturday, Gopie and his seven-man work crew were standing outside the work site at Longdenville, Chaguanas, when he was accosted by a man who was on the compound demanding work. The man, police said, struck Gopie once in the head with a boulder before grabbing a luchette (hand tool used to dig holes) from among the tools in the van and began hitting him again several times in the head.

Gopie collapsed to the ground and was rushed to the Couva District Hospital by his workmen before he was transferred to the San Fernando General Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries about three hours later.

One worker who witnessed the entire incident told Newsday that Gopie and his men had refused to enter the work compound because of the commotion. He said: “There was a man fighting with people saying that if he can’t get work no one will be able to work today.

“When we arrived for work we were advised by a policeman to stay outside until back up officers arrive to take control of the situation.”

The worker said they watched the crazed man “beat up people” and take away their food and money.

“Those workers were running away from the man but ran straight into us where we were standing,” the eyewitness said, adding: “The man look at Mr Gopie and told him he didn’t want anyone working and hit him in the head with a stone. He then went to the van and took the luchette and hit him several times to the head.”

Gopie, he said, didn’t stand a chance.

“The luchette was big and heavy.” Yesterday, Gopie’s wife Luann, 44, told Newsday that her husband had been a contractor for the past 23 years.

“He never drank or smoked and provided well for his family. He was a respected contractor in and out of the area.”

A Chaguanas man is now assisting police with their investigations.