Nellai cops trace missing girl in 8 hours

Tirunelveli: In a swift and coordinated operation, Tirunelveli district police successfully traced a class VIII girl within eight hours after she was reported missing from Ramayanpatti in the district. Police said the girl's parents filed a complaint at All Women Police Station (AWPS-Rural) after she failed to return home on Wednesday.Acting on the instructions of superintendent of police V Prassanna Kumar, a special team led by deputy superintendent of police Raghupathiraja, and comprising inspector Mariammal, sub-inspector Sajeev and constable Muthu John, launched an intensive search. They circulated the girl's photograph to neighbouring districts and alerted the public. The minor's details were shared with Railway Protection Force (RPF) in Madurai. The RPF subsequently issued an all-stations alert. A senior police official said inspector Mariammal spotted the girl on CCTV entering the railway station, and alerted the RPF. "We noticed the girl boarding the Tiruchengode-Palakkad train from Tirunelveli Junction and deboarding in Madurai and again boarding the Pandian Express from Madurai to reach Chennai," added the official.RPF caught up with the girl at Virudhachalam railway station. Upon being secured, she revealed that she was deeply upset because a classmate had stopped speaking to her. In emotional distress, she boarded a train to reach a relative's house in Chennai. Following the rescue, the AWPS team travelled to Virudhachalam to bring the girl back, and formally handed her over to her relieved parents.SP Prassanna Kumar lauded the All Women Police team and RPF, which ensured the minor's safety and prevented a potential tragedy. Another official said the girl missing complaint was received at 5pm on Wednesday, and they rescued her at 1.30am on Thursday.