The father of a woman murdered at Navoalevu, Wainikoro in Labasa is now pondering on the future of his grandchildren.

Narendra Prasad’s daughter, Saleshni Devi, also known as Pinky, was allegedly murdered by a man on last Wednesday night (August 21, 2019).

The couple had separated two months ago and Pinky had moved into her parents’ place in Navoa­levu.

She left behind three children.

Mr Prasad’s son passed away last year and he has been looking af­ter his daughter-in-law and grand­son. For the past two months he has been looking after three more grandchildren.

“I don’t have a farm and have been surviving on social welfare assis­tance,” the 67-year-old said.

“I also get assisted by my other son but that is not much. Now all the responsibilities of these young children are on me and I am won­dering what can I do for them in my old age.

“My daughter has been taken away from me. As a parent, the hardest thing one can do is witness the funeral of one’s child.”

Pinky’s eldest is a Year Six student while the second is in Year Four.

Mr Prasad is fearful the children’s education will be affected.

He is also mindful of the trauma the children are going through.

He is most worried that the youngest, a two-year-old, had witnessed the alleged incident.

“She saw the attack on her moth­er. I cannot fathom what is going through her little head,” Mr Prasad said.

The family is hoping that the post mortem is conducted at the earliest possible so they can make funeral arrangements. Meanwhile, the al­leged murder suspect remains in custody at the Labasa Police Sta­tion. No charges have been laid yet.

Edited by Percy Kean

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