Traveling to the Andamans after the 2004 tsunami I saw sights and heard stories that were almost unbearably painful (some of them are recounted in the article I wrote shortly afterwards). A few days ago I received a reminder that for the survivors the horror is far from over. The message below contains an account of a boy, the son of an Air Force officer, who survived the tsunami but disappeared later, from a refugee camp. The family have been trying to trace the child ever since: the letter sent by his father to various government officials, asking for assistance, is posted below.
I cannot of course vouch for the facts of the case – but if any readers of this blog feel that they might be able to help they should follow this link.
Hello Amitav Ghosh,
I read your article about 2004 Tsunami Victims in Car Nicobar. It is really heart heavy and moving.
Recently, I came contact with school friend after 20yrs. He was one of the survivor from Car Nicobar India Air Force. He lost his son ages 12 yrs at time. He and remain family were evacuated by AirForce. Around May 2005, he came to know that his son was alive, when he reached Car Nicobar, the boy was abducted from the Nirmala Camp. He is still searching for his son. He left AirFoce job and tried all possible he can. Still he is looking for his son.
In this regards, he is looking for the photos or Video’s taken in the Nirmla Camp during Dec 26, 2004 to May 2005. That will give some more clues to locate this his son.
I am my friends look for ways to help him.
Since you have been and worked with Car Nicobar and Nirmala Camp, I am reaching out to your for suggestions, contacts and pointer to locate this missing boy. If you know of any organization (India or Abroad)
I have attached the letter sent from with details.
I appreciate your support on this.
Thanks
-Jay
Jeyasankar, R
15.09.2006
From
Sgt. M. Venkatraman, Air Traffic Control, Wo.413 AF Station, Tambaram, Chennai-600 059.
To
1) The Hon’ble Union Home Minister,
Government of India,
New Delhi.
2) The Hon’ble Union Defense Minister,
Government of India,
New Delhi.
3) The Secretary,
Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, New Delhi.
Sir,
Sub: Tracing of my missing son Master V. Srinivasan alias Aravind from Nirmala School, Tsunami Relief Camp, Port Blair.
1. I was in the posted strength of Air Force Station, Carnicobar with effect from 18th April 2002. Prior to my posting at the Air Force Station, Carnicobar Island, I had served in various parts of the country including Jammu and Kashmir. I have an impeccable record in respect of my career throughout my service.
2. While this is so, during Tsunami disaster, which stuck many costal districts of India, the worst affected place was Carnicobar and other islands in Andaman and Nicobar when the .Tsunami stuck carnicobar. On 26th December 2004, my family consisting of self, my wife and two children were swept away by the tidal waves. Fortunately myself, my wife and my daughter survived the disaster. However, my only son Master V. Srinivasan alias Aravind was missing since then. On account of the tsunami disaster, the Air Force authorities directed all the survivors to evacuate from Air Force Carnicobar to Chennai and we had no other alternative except to leave Carnicobar on 27th December 2004. I made repeated requests to the authorities to permit me to stay back to enable me to trace out my son but it was turned down by the authorities. Since my wife and I sustained injuries and were requiring medical attention, we were constrained to leave Carnicobar on 27th December 2004 and we got ourselves admitted in the Military Hospital, Chennai. Prior to my departure on 27th December 2004, I made earnest efforts to trace out my son but it was in vain.
3. After my admission in the Military Hospital, Chennai and treatment, we were discharged. Thereafter, I was given one-month leave. During this period of one-month, I made posters of my son Master V. Srinivasan alias Aravind with particulars of his identity, photograph among others and sent the aforesaid posters to Carnicobar and Port Blair and pasted it with contact particulars all over the island to trace out my son Master V. Srinivasan alias Aravind but there was no information forthcoming about my son.
4. While this is so, in or around April 2005 I got reliable information that some of the missing children were sent to Kolkata for rehabilitation. I proceeded to Kolkata to search my missing son. In Kolkata I met Father Matthews George of Don Bosco Aashalayam, Kolkatta and sought his help. While I was in Kolkata I browsed the internet and from the website www.and.nic.in/nirmalacarnic.pdf, I was surprised to note that at page No. 18 of the particulars mentioned therein under serial No.946 (copy enclosed for ready reference) the details of my son Master V. Srinivasan alias Aravind was displayed. With the help of Father Matthews George I contacted Father Albinos Barla,. who was in-charge-of Nirmala School Relief camp at Port Blair. It is relevant to mention here that Father Albinos Barla was admittedly in-charge-of the relief cainp at Nirmala School Relief Camp at Port Blair. After the tsunami episode when I met Father Albinos Barla, he agreed that my son Master V. Srinivasan alias Aravind was present in their camp at Port Blair for four days. Regarding the other details of my son. Father Albinos Barla directed me to contact Sister Phool Kumari of Nirmala School relief camp, Port Blair, who maintains the records of the victims and also the then status of my son Master V. Srinivasan alias Aravind.
5. On 13th May 2005 I went to Nirmala school Relief Camp at Port Blair and I met Sister Phool Kumari and enquired about the details of my son and the then present status of my son Master V. Srinivasan alias Aravind. Sister Phool Kumari informed me that under instructions from Father Albinos Barla, she handed over my son Master V. Srinivasan alias Aravind to two unidentified persons aged about 45/50 years who appear to be Muslims and claimed themselves to be my son’s uncles. To a specific query by me whether Sister Phool Kumari has the details of the date on which my son was handed over, the details of the persons who claimed to be my son’s uncles, the residential address of the two unidentified persons, who appear to be Muslims among others I was shocked and surprised to note that Sister Phool Kumari nor Father Albinos Barla nor any of the authorities in the Nirmala School Relief Camp” premises at Port Blair ever bothered or cared to collect the basic details prior to handing over my minor son Master V. Srinivasan alias Aravind to two unidentified strangers, who appeared to be Muslims. I was also shocked to note that Nirmala school Relief Camp, Port Blair does not maintain any records regarding the details of the persons, who are handed over to the so called relatives.
6. Thereafter I filed a F.I.R. at the Aberdeen Bazaar Police Station, Port Blair against two unidentified persons, who kidnapped my son from the Relief Camp. The said F.I.R. is numbered as 627/2005 dated 19th May 2005 (copy of F.I.R. enclosed for ready reference). As no information was forthcoming regarding my son from any source I had no other alternative except to give advertisements in local Dailies and T.V. Channels at my cost.
7. Further I also made a representation to the Lt. Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands His Excellency Shri M.M. Lakhera. The Hon’ble Governor instructed the Inspector General of Police Andaman and Nicobar Islands by Note dated 28.4.2006 to furnish a detailed report on this case and in the event of my son not being traceable to take the help of the Central Agencies viz., Central Bureau of Investigation.
8. I submit that my son is missing since 26tl1 December 2004 and all my earnest efforts in tracing out my missing son by making a representation to the various authorities have been in vain. It is really shocking that my minor son was handed over to two unidentified persons who happen to be Muslims claiming to be my son’s uncles but actually they are strangers without even verifying the basic facts by the Nirmala School Relief Camp Authorities, Port Blair. How the relief camp authorities have not cared or bothered to collect the basic details about the two strangers is really intriguing and there appears to be a foul play in the entire matter.
9. In the above circumstances, I humbly request the Hon’ble Union Home Minister to hand over the matter to the CBI with directions to:
i) trace out my son Master V. Srinivasan alias Aravind;
ii) trace out the two unidentified persons, who had
kidnapped my son Master V. srinivasan alias Aravind;
and
iii) probe the conspiracy angle by the Nirmala School
Relief Camp, Port Blair as to why the details of the
persons, who are inside their camp are not maintained
and also the details of the persons who claimed to be
uncles of my son were not obtained particularly when
the person being handed over is a Minor.
10. I enclose herewith a photograph of the suspected kidnapper drawn by Police Artist who was aided by a lady Mrs. Sivagami, who last saw my son along with the unidentified persons in the first week of March 2005 at Garacharma, Port Blair and the said unidentified persons appear to be Muslims.
In the above circumstances, I humbly request the Hon’ble Union Home Minister to direct the authorities to trace out my son Master V. Srinivasan alias Aravind by handing over the entire matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation and ensure that my son is reunited with his parents for which act of kindness I shall be ever grateful to you.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully.
(M. VENKATRAMAN)
