Two minor girls missing in Kapurthala

In two separate incidents reported from Kapurthala district, two 17-year-old girls studying in Class XII have gone missing under suspicious circumstances.

The families of both girls have alleged that the teenagers were abducted by local youths on the pretext of marriage. The police have registered separate FIRs and investigation is in progress.

In the first case, a resident of Prempura village in Sultanpur Lodhi reported that his daughter, a student of Class XII student at a local school, left home on July 23 without informing anyone. After a search, the family reportedly learned that a youth from Dera Saiyyada Colony may have enticed her away on the false promise of marriage.

Acting on the complaint, the police registered a case against the accused under Sections 137(2) and 96 of the BNS. Investigating Officer ASI Harjinder Singh confirmed that a suspect is being questioned.

In the second incident, a man from Balochak village in the Bhulath sub-division reported that his 17-year-old daughter, also a Class 12 student at a school in Begowal, went missing on the evening of July 21. According to the complaint, the girl was alone at home while her parents were working in the fields. On returning, the family discovered the girl missing and the cupboard open. They also reported the disappearance of approximately Rs 20,000 and two tolas of gold jewellery. Her mobile phone was found switched off.

The police have launched efforts to locate the missing girls and the individuals named in the complaints.