Missing persons found dead

[TamilNet, Saturday, 30 May 1998, 23:59 GMT]
Three bodies of the four civilians who were reported missing since May 24 in Murunkan in the Mannar district have been found the Murunkan Police informed the Mannar District judge today.

Inspector (crimes) Gunewardena at the Murunkan Police Station has said in his report to the judge that according to a complaint by Marimuthu Kalimuthu, a relative of one the persons who went missing, the bodies were found in the jungle 6 km from the village of Chettiyar Kaddai Adamban.

They were found in a highly decomposed state with bullet and knife wounds, according to Marimuthu Kalimuthu's complaint.

The whereabouts of the fourth person identified as Muniyandi Ramaiah is still not known.

The Murunkan police has informed the judge Mr. M. Ilancheliyan, that they cannot inspect the place where the bodies were found or conduct inquiries there because the area is not under the control of the Army.

They have also informed the judge that they cannot provide him security to visit and inspect the spot where the bodies found.

The Police has asked the judge to direct the Divisional Secretary (DS) and the Village Officer (GS) of the area to look in to the matter.

Following this, the Mannar judge has instructed the Naanattan Divisional Secretary to submit a detailed report about the bodies along with the clear sketch of the area where they were found.

He has also instructed the Murunkan Police to conduct further inquiries once the Divisional Secretary's report is available.

The Judge has asked the relatives of the dead to appear at the inquest to be held in the Mannar District court.