It was a cloudy morning at the parking area in front of Bukit Aman. Perhaps the sky too decided to join in and stand in solidarity with family members of three young men who were shot dead by the police near Glenmarie, Shah Alam in the wee hours of 13^th November 2010. Today, accompanied by lawyers, representatives from NGOs and also concerned members of the public, they were gathered in search for answers for their questions which have been long met with a resounding silence from the authorities.

Equally dark were the faces. Faces that are tired. Faces that couldn't rest. Faces of those who have lost a child, a brother, a grandson, and a friend.

The face of a father who will no longer see his son, for reasons still unclear.

The face of a broken mother who lost her 15 year old to fatal shots of a gun.

The lawyers from Lawyers for Liberty spoke on behalf of the family. Demand for an immediate update on the status of investigation was made.

However, this could not be given by the officer in charge of receiving this party that was never meant to be lively.

Instead, the officer read the memorandum before everyone present and promised to provide answers by this Monday, 10^th January 2011.

The 15 year old boy was shot on his forehead. The exit wound at the back of his head probably greeted his mother when she looked at his body. Another shot was on his chest, the angle of the trajectory seem to suggest that the shot was fired from above him, thus said the lawyers.

Lest it be mistaken that the incident is romanticised to elevate the deceased and camouflage the wrongdoing that they may have committed that resulted in them being shot, let us be very clear on one point, the dead were deprived their opportunity to defend themselves and tell us their side of the story. And our duty now is to get to the heart of the matter, which is to seek the truth and hold the institutions and authorities accountable for their actions.

According to SUARAM, 88 people were killed in police shootings last year.

All these details raise questions about the reasons given by the police and the continuing silence in the face of all the questions asked is disturbing and alarming. What we collectively need to do is to stand up together in solidarity with the family members to demand explanation and accountability from our authorities and institutions. We need to take charge of our institutions and send the message that we will not tolerate blatant abuse of power and due processes here in our home.

That is the least that we can do. That is the right thing to do. That would be the human thing to do.

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Pictures - Nandakumar Haridas

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SAJ  - Have We Become Heartless? |2011-01-08 23:24:22 :angry: Brilliant and poignant piece. Thanks a million Nanda

shaku  - Sadness |2011-01-10 16:52:30 While hope is the steadying force of life, sadness cripples. Here in these telling photos....we share in the sadness of these persons' sadness. Agree, writer, with your resolve which asks us to stand shoulder to shoulder to help usher in the justice that will see these wrongs redressed.....for a brighter and happier 2011. Mr. Nandakumar...thanks for your human touch in both the photos and writing..bravo

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