Daijiworld Media Network - Kolhapur

Kolhapur, Mar 23: A 19-year-old girl from Kolhapur, who was allegedly lured and taken away by a boy from another community on the pretext of marriage, has been traced to Chhattisgarh, bringing relief to her family and easing rising tensions in the area.

According to police sources, the girl had been missing since March 18, following which a complaint was filed. However, alleged delays in the investigation led to strong protests by her relatives and members of the community, who questioned the police over the lack of progress.

Based on fresh inputs, Shahupuri Police Station has now confirmed that the girl’s location was traced to Chhattisgarh through mobile tracking. A special police team was dispatched on March 22 to bring her and the boy involved back to Kolhapur.

Inspector Santosh Doke said the boy from the Uchgaon-Maner Mala area will also be taken into custody. “After completing legal procedures, both will be brought to Kolhapur within two days. The girl will then be handed over to her family,” he said.

Earlier, around 300 to 400 citizens had gathered outside the Shahupuri police station on March 21, staging a protest over the delay in the investigation. Demonstrators raised slogans and warned of a Kolhapur bandh if the girl was not traced by Sunday night.

The incident had sparked fears of social tension in the city, with some local groups also issuing warnings on social media. However, with the latest development and coordinated action involving Chhattisgarh police, the situation is now expected to stabilise.

Relatives of the girl have expressed relief after learning that she has been traced.