Ramdial questions police procedure on missing persons

Ramdial sought answers on proper police procedures while at the funeral of murdered 23-yearold Sharlene Somai at the family’s home yesterday.

Somai’s body was discovered on Thursday about three minutes away from her home at Petersville, Felicity, Chaguanas. She was reported missing on Monday.

Family members criticised police afterwards for not responding immediately to reports of her going missing. National Security Minister Edmund Dillion on Friday said police are supposed to respond immediately to missing persons’ reports, but Ramdial was not convinced that all police operate by this procedure.

“We need clarification whether police are supposed to begin searching for missing persons immediately or whether they wait for 24hrs to elapse before they start a search party. We need clarification as citizens.” Delivering the sermon at the funeral service was Pastor Lloyd Joseph, Somai’s uncle.

He encouraged family and friends to not hold animosity in their hearts towards her killers.

Somai’s cousin Crystal Ramroop described her as a fashionista who loved taking selfies.

Ramroop said Soomai also loved her husband Suraj Toolsie tremendously.

“She could have 10 pillows to sleep on but would not sleep unless she had his shoulder to rest her head on.” Scores of friends and relatives wore white tee-shirts which bore a printed photograph of the murdered woman.

At the end of the funeral service, the funeral procession to the Waterloo Cremation Site was accompanied by the sounds of Tassa drums and songs in Hindi.