Police station looks for space in Mullaitivu

by Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana

The role of the police in any developed society or city is significant in maintaining law and order. It is vital when the area is cleared from the captivity of terrorists after a long period of time. The Mullaitivu district was the last area to be freed from the clutches of the LTTE following the final battle against terrorism. And it was the last area to commence development activities and resettlement.

When the LTTE was in control they had three Eelam police stations in the district, namely, in Mullaitivu, Mulliyawalai and Vishvamadu. But when the terror group was defeated and the area taken over by the government forces in 2009 four police stations were set up in the division by the Sri Lanka Police Department.

The stations were set up in Mullaitivu, Mulliyawalai, Oddusudan and Pudukuyirippu. Also five police posts have been proposed to be built in Vallipuram, Kokkutuduwai, Vishvamadu, Alampil and Devapuram in the near future. The Mullaitivu police station is the commanding station of the Mullaitivu Police Division.

Being a divisional headquarters police station certain prime facilities have to be provided, including a separate office for the Police Superintendent in charge of the division, a building for the headquarters police station, a place for storage, garage with parking space for several police vehicles and motorcycles, a lawn or bare land to conduct official ceremonies and inspection programs and a building to facilitate living quarters for the officers deployed in the station.

During the past three years the Mullaitivu town and its suburbs have been significantly developed with basic infrastructure such as carpeted tarmac roads, electricity and water supplies, proper drainage systems, roads and byroads named with signboards and government buildings to house institutes such as the Government Agent's office and the base hospital.

Government Agent N Vethanayagam

However, in this wave of development the attention shown towards the police station being an important government institution in the area is notably poor.

With a single house converted into a police station and the entire operation of a division being carried out in a relatively small place poses a pathetic picture.

When contacted by the Sunday Observer the ASP Mullaitivu Division W P J Senadheera said the station has currently been faced by a severe space shortage. Although the authorities have been informed about it, so far no progressive solution has been granted.

It is reported that a fairly large extent of land had been allocated in the heart of the town for the divisional police headquarters previously but for unknown reasons it was acquired by the authorities to establish the GA's office.

It is learnt that another land had been allocated for the police station which is not close to the town and reportedly not an ideal location to set up a police station.

The newly granted land is a 240 perch block for the divisional headquarters police station and another 120 perches for the Police Superintendent's office.

Although the land has been allocated it is uncertain when the construction of the new buildings will commence.

At present the SP's Office and the offices of the Assistant Superintendent of Police, Headquarters Inspector's Office, Crime Branch, Administration Branch, Traffic Branch, complaints receiving desk, armoury and other important offices of the station are housed in the same building converted from an old house. Several tables and desks laid across the hall congested with the other furniture including office ware and cupboards, and the officers barely performing their duties in a jam packed environment had made it difficult for routine operations to be carried out, it is reported.

The visitors who come to meet the senior police officers and the public who visit the station daily for various requirements such as to lodge complaints are confined to a place not appropriate for the conduct of such duties in terms of a modern police station in any developed city in the south.

When contacted, the Mullaitivu District Government Agent N Vethanayagan said the prime piece of land in the heart of the town cannot be granted to set up a police station as it is needed for the GA's office.

He said the town lacks sufficient space for all the state office requirements and the allocation of the land has been done carefully according to the importance of the particular institution.

A separate land has been granted to the divisional police headquarters station from a selected area and the police has to establish its station there, the GA said.

With the on going development process and resettlement programs in the area the day to day civilian activity has increased also giving rise to various anti-social elements and unlawful activities.

The crime rate in areas such as Pudukuduyirippu has increased with thefts and housebreaking incidents being frequently reported. Also, a considerable number of child abuse cases have been reported in the surrounding police areas.

To tackle these issues a well established police station has to be in operation with facilities to conduct its duties.