Condemning the sittings of the Office on Missing Persons (OMP) in Mullaitivu, the relatives of missing persons held a protest yesterday (19) in front of the Mullaitivu District Secretariat claiming that they want an impartial investigation into the whereabouts of their loved ones.
They further noted that the OMP is just an eyewash, and therefore, urged the OMP to refrain from collecting information regarding them and their missing relatives.
Later, the OMP officers arrived at the place where the protest took place and explained their procedure, noting that it is important to register the details of missing persons and that only then can investigations be carried out.
Speaking to The Morning, Secretary to the Association for Relatives of Missing Persons Leeladevi Ananthanadaraja said yesterday that the OMP officers are registering details in regard to missing persons in Mullaitivu and that some family members are uncomfortable sharing such details with the officers.
“They are sending letters to the relatives noting that they are collecting details of the missing. Some of these relatives are confused that they don’t remember where the details of their missing relatives were initially registered. Also, some do not want these OMP officers to record their details. They have a trust issue. Some relatives who have registered with the International Committee for the Red Cross had participated in the OMP sessions. We wanted to highlight to the officers not to misguide and confuse the relatives,” she added.
Meanwhile, an official from the OMP told The Morning that there were some members of the Mullaitivu Pradeshiya Sabha protesting along with the relatives of missing persons.
“They are unaware of the proceedings of the OMP. They don’t know the purpose of the meeting and the inquiry. As we explained the procedure, the protestors said that they will hold the protest without blocking the entrance or disturbing those who are coming to testify,” the official said.
The OMP is currently holding inquiries in the Mullaitivu District yesterday and today (20) by inviting 48 families to testify. But the official noted that only a few turned out to testify before the OMP yesterday.
There have been a series of similar protests held by the relatives of missing persons in the same manner, condemning the sittings of the OMP, noting that it is an eyewash. But, at the same time, there had been a number of relatives who had come forward to obtain the Certificate of Absence and compensation.