He was returning home from the People's Progressive Party (PPP) Congress in an open back pick-up when he was shot and killed.

Speaking to the Chronicle from the family home at Golden Fleece on the Essequibo Coast, his father, Kedarnauth Khandai, in tears, said that Balram was very brilliant and had started to teach one year ago at the Abram Zuil Secondary School.

Mr. Khandai said he was very shocked upon learning of his son's death.

He said the young man was recently awarded a scholarship to study Agriculture Science in Cuba.

The mother, Heamwatti, also in tears, said she has lost a brilliant and loving son. She said he was brutally killed and lost his life innocently.

Balram's sister, Shivanie tearfully said that the person who brutally killed her brother will pay for it.

The teenager left his home last Friday to attend the 27th Congress of the PPP.

Reports said the young teacher was a dedicated and active member of the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO), the youth arm of the PPP.

According to reports Balram was very quiet and loving.

He has also left to mourn a brother.

In a statement, yesterday, the PYO said it was deeply saddened at the loss of one of its promising young activists. It said Khandai had always demonstrated potential to be a leader.

The PYO said it was disgusted "at the crime terror being perpetrated by criminals who seemingly have support from the PNC/R."

"These attacks seriously affect our youth population, whose energy is crucial to the development thrust of our nation", the PYO said noting that many of the victims of the crimes are young people, including policemen, "making their contribution to nation building as loyal, patriotic, decent and peaceful Guyanese."

It said that Khandai's presence in East Berbice as an observer at the PPP Congress was an apt description of his preoccupation with issues of national interest.

"This threat to citizens' comfort, peace and stability must not be allowed to pervade our country. Every Guyanese ought to demonstrate zero tolerance for these criminal activities and resolve to fight them in whatever way we can", the PYO said.

It noted that many young people are traumatised by the crime which is affecting their academic and social performances.