Sri Vijaya Puram, July 27: A 14-year-old schoolgirl who went missing after leaving for school in North and Middle Andaman was traced safe by police on Friday, bringing relief to her family after an anxious overnight search and triggering an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.
The Class IX student was located in Diglipur Bazaar less than a day after her family approached Kalighat Police Station to report her missing. While the minor has since been reunited with her family, police are continuing their investigation to establish where she remained during the period she was missing, whether she was accompanied by anyone, and if any cognisable offence was committed.
According to information available, the girl, a resident of Talbagan village, left her home at around 7.20 a.m. on July 24 to attend classes at Paschim Sagar School. When she failed to return home after school hours, her family began searching for her and making enquiries with relatives and friends.
During the course of the search, the family learnt that instead of returning home, the student had travelled to Diglipur on the same school bus. Despite searching through the night, they were unable to trace her.
With no information about her whereabouts, the family lodged a missing report at Kalighat Police Station on July 25. They also informed the police that they suspected the minor might have been lured away, prompting the police to initiate legal proceedings and launch an intensive search operation.
According to information received from sources, police subsequently traced the girl safe in Diglipur Bazaar. After completing the necessary legal formalities, she was reunited with her family.
Although the immediate concern over the child’s safety has ended, investigators are treating the matter with caution. Police are now examining the sequence of events that led to the girl’s disappearance, where she stayed during the intervening period, whether she was in the company of any individual, and whether any criminal offence under the Indian Penal Code or the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act is attracted.
Officials are expected to record statements from the minor, her family members and other relevant witnesses before arriving at any conclusions. Police have not disclosed further details, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation and the fact that the case involves a minor.
The incident is the latest in a series of missing minor cases in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands that have required swift police intervention. In recent months, police successfully traced a missing minor girl from Chuna Bhatta within 48 hours after an extensive search involving multiple teams and technical surveillance. In another case, a missing minor was rescued within 24 hours in North and Middle Andaman, with police subsequently arresting a suspect on allegations that the child had been lured away.
Police have repeatedly advised parents to report missing children without delay, stressing that the first few hours after a disappearance are often the most critical in tracing a child safely. They have also urged families to remain vigilant about children’s movements, friendships and online interactions, while assuring that every missing child complaint is treated as a priority.
While the girl’s safe recovery has brought relief to her family, the investigation remains open. The findings of the police inquiry are expected to determine whether the incident was a case of a child leaving voluntarily or whether any person played a role in facilitating or inducing her disappearance. Until then, police have refrained from drawing any conclusions.
