Gita’s return kindles hope for missing girls’ parents
BD Kasniyal
Pithoragarh, October 27
People of Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar districts, whose daughters had gone missing several years ago, have become hopeful of seeing them again following the return of deaf and mute Gita from Pakistan on the Central government’s initiative.
“Some local women are missing for the last several years, and there are some women from other countries lodged at the Nari Niketan in Haldwani waiting to be sent back to their respective countries,” said Vimla Kureel, in charge of the Nari Niketan.
Information received from the women’s remand home at Haldwani stated that of the 15 women residing there, three are foreigners who had entered the Indian territory unknowingly. They are living in the remand home since then. Among them is Neha from Myanmar, Durga from Nepal and Madhumita from Bangladesh.
“Neha strayed into the Indian territory from the northeastern border and reached the Tanakpur railway station in Kumaon, travelling in trains without knowing the destination. She was sent to the Nari Niketan. The police had found Durga and Madhumita staying on the railway platform,” said Vimla Kureel.
She said these women wanted to go their home but as formalities were yet to be completed, the department was not in a position to send them back home. “We have also contacted the embassies of their countries through the office of the District Magistrate, but have received no communication,” said Vimla.
According to the Nainital and US Nagar police, while 27 girls from Nainital are missing, over nine families have lodged complaints about their daughters having done missing. “We have been searching for our daughter Rashmi (12) since she had gone missing, but failed to trace her. We now hope that government agencies will trace her and bring back her one day,” said Meena, mother of Rashmi and resident of the Pirumadara locality of Ramnagar town in Nainital district.
