Family Protests Over Missing Girl in Chamba, Demands Action from Authorities
Family Protests Over Missing Girl in Chamba
Subhash Mahajan
Chamba: A troubling case involving the mysterious disappearance of a girl from Salooni three months ago has escalated into a significant challenge for local law enforcement and administration in Himachal Pradesh, as no leads have emerged regarding her location.
In response to increasing pressure from the family, authorities have enlisted divers, conducted a polygraph examination on the main suspect, and ramped up their investigative efforts, yet the case remains unresolved.
Frustrated by the lack of progress, the girl's parents, Loki and Devki, along with local residents, organized a protest on Wednesday near the district taxi stand, halting traffic for nearly an hour. They voiced their discontent towards the local administration and police, presenting a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner that expressed their distress and called for immediate action.
Initially, the protesters were unwilling to clear the road, but they eventually agreed to do so after receiving assurances of swift action. The family has warned that if no significant developments occur within two days, they will initiate an indefinite protest.
Suspect Detained and Polygraph Test Conducted
The family suspects that a Junior Basic Training (JBT) teacher may be involved in the girl's disappearance. This individual has been arrested and has claimed to have dropped the girl off in Nurpur, but he denies knowing what happened afterward.
The police conducted a polygraph test on the teacher in Shimla in October, and they are currently awaiting the results. Meanwhile, the Education Department has suspended him following his 24-hour detention, and he remains in police custody.
Search Efforts Intensified in Chamera Reservoir
To explore all possible avenues, police have dispatched a team of divers to search the Chamera reservoir for any signs of the missing girl. “Every potential location is being searched thoroughly,” stated Mukesh Repaswal, Deputy Commissioner of Chamba.
The protest led to significant traffic congestion, affecting school buses, ambulances, and other vehicles. When police permitted an ambulance to pass, it prompted other vehicles to follow suit, further aggravating the protesters, who insisted that no vehicles should be allowed through. Officers ultimately managed to de-escalate the situation through negotiations with the crowd.