Is there a certification process for pujaris?

Pujari, father in custody as police probe Orlando’s killing — six cutlasses seized; AFC proposes national day to remember children lost to tragedy - Kiskadee Watch # Pujari, father in custody as police probe Orlando’s killing — six cutlasses seized; AFC proposes national day to remember children lost to tragedy By Staff Editor Thu, October 22 2026, 2:30 AM GMT-4 Dead: Orlando Jaikarran A pujari is now in police custody alongside the father of six-year-old Orlando Jaikarran as investigators continue probing the child’s horrific murder and examine items recovered from the Waterloo Main Canal and a house at Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice. Orlando’s father, Bharrat Jaikarran, has alleged that the pujari was involved in the child’s killing. The pujari has denied involvement. In their latest update, police confirmed that two men remained in custody and said further enquiries on Tuesday, October 20, had led to the recovery of several items of evidential value at the canal. A search of a residence at Bath Settlement also yielded six cutlasses and other items, which were seized and lodged as exhibits. The police statement did not identify the occupants of the residence or specify any connection between the seized cutlasses and the alleged murder. The developments come amid widespread shock and sadness over Orlando’s death and the deaths of 29-year-old Donette Albert and her three-year-old son, Keron Latchman, in a fire at their David James Scheme, Charity home on Monday. Many persons have expressed grief and outrage online over the deaths. Orlando’s partially decomposed body was recovered from the Waterloo Main Canal on Tuesday, following days of searching by police, residents and volunteers. Police previously disclosed that the head and portions of the left hand and right foot were missing. Preliminary investigations indicated that the child had been taken to the canal and allegedly chopped to the neck with a cutlass. The father reportedly told investigators that a pujari had told him Orlando was not his biological child. The body was taken to the Bath Regional Hospital and subsequently to Bailey’s Funeral Home to await formal identification and a post-mortem examination, police had said. The latest police statement places the alleged murder on Thursday, October 15. Earlier accounts had reported Orlando missing from October 14. ... AFC calls for remembrance The Alliance For Change (AFC), in a statement issued on Wednesday, condemned Orlando’s killing and proposed a national day to remember children whose lives had been cut short in tragic circumstances. “The killing of Orlando Jaikaran” was “of the most vile and gruesome nature,” the party said. It stressed that adults had a responsibility to provide safe, nurturing environments in which children could develop, and that every child deserved love, care and protection. “As a nation, we must examine where we went wrong when, the arms that should protect a child become the very arms that inflict death,” the AFC stated. The party called on national leaders, particularly religious leaders, to take a more active role in guiding what it described as the country’s moral revival. “In this era when our national wealth is increasing exponentially, it is important that we do not lose our humanity,” it said. Proposing a national day of remembrance, the AFC added: “Let their names and their lives be remembered. Let us show the world, the lives of all our children matter.” ... Charity deaths Meanwhile, police in Region Two are investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Albert and Latchman, whose charred remains were discovered inside their burnt home at David James Scheme. According to the police release, the fire occurred at approximately 7.20 am on Monday, October 19, and destroyed the single-storey wooden building. Police said preliminary investigations revealed that Albert and her 31-year-old common-law partner, a welder, had reportedly argued earlier that morning. The man subsequently went downstairs and claimed that, shortly afterwards, he saw the house engulfed in flames. He told investigators that he attempted to re-enter to rescue Albert and their son but was prevented by the intensity of the fire. Firefighters responded and extinguished the blaze, after which the remains of the mother and child were found. Their bodies were taken to Charity Hospital, where a doctor certified them dead, and subsequently to the Suddie Public Hospital Mortuary to await post-mortem examinations. Albert’s partner was arrested and remains in custody assisting with that investigation, police said.