RADHICA DE SILVA
Senior Multimedia Reporter
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
Selwyn Jagmohan was a man who took pride in working multiple jobs to support his family. A landscaper, coconut vendor and small contractor, he had dreams of building his own home this year.
But today, Jagmohan sits in a ramshackle house in Platanite Trace, Barrackpore, and is now an amputee struggling to cope after a hit-and-run accident that changed his life forever.
Speaking to Guardian Media, Jagmohan said he never believed that one day he would be immobile and unable to work.
“It does be hard. Every day I study my leg. I can’t do anything properly again,” he said with eyes downcast.
Recalling the incident, Jagmohan said on February 26, he was sitting with his wife Janice Outar, uncles and other family members when an unmarked vehicle came out of nowhere and hit them, with the driver fleeing the scene.
“Five of us got bounced down. I had a leg that was totally mashed up. They had to amputate it above the knee,” he recalled.
He said the day before the accident, he and his friends had an incident at the beach and he believes this was linked to the hit-and-run.
Jagmohan said although the police found the car involved in the accident along the Penal Rock Road and the driver was identified, no charges were ever laid.
“The police in Barrackpore are very unjust because they never charge this man. They gave him back his car and released him. No arrests were made. Since then, nobody came and looked for me, nobody called me,” he added.
Now faced with the harsh reality of his situation, Jagmohan longs for the chance to walk.
“I was a working man. Now I cannot work anymore. I cannot go anywhere. Every day I study this. They took a report from me, but nothing was done.”
He said he went to the Police Complaints Division in San Fernando but was told he had to get an extract from the Barrackpore police. However, Jagmohan claims the Barrackpore police do not want to give it to him.
“I went to the police complaints, and they told me I have to get a report from the police because the man made a report against me. The police never gave me that report, so I don’t know what is going on.”
Jagmohan said his loss of mobility has also stripped him of his independence.
“Every day I used to be working. I was a coconut vendor. Now it’s different, and I have no income coming in. I cannot stand up. Too much pressure on one leg. I cannot even make tea for myself,” he added.
Jagmohan said he now yearns for a prosthetic leg.
“If I get a leg that will be very nice. I could walk, I could do certain things again,” he added.
His wife, Jenice Outar, who has been by his side throughout this ordeal, said the weight of caring for him has taken its toll.
“It is very challenging caring for him. When he had his feet he used to care for me, but now I have to do everything. It’s a sacrifice,” she said.
The couple now rears rabbits and ducks to earn a livelihood.
Describing how the accident changed Jagmohan, Outar said, “He used to be a much happier person. As he got up, he used to go to work, and now everything has changed.”
She said the accident impacted her as well.
“My foot was damaged too. While I was in the hospital I had to sign the papers to cut off his foot,” she recalled.
Despite everything, Outar said she was thankful for their lives.
Guardian Media contacted the Barrackpore police, who said the matter is under investigation. A senior officer from the Southern Division was also contacted and he promised to make further inquiries about the matter. Anyone wanting to assist Jagmohan can contact 277- 6996 or 291-0832. Donations can be made at Scotiabank, High Street, Penal, account no 4022122.