Viluppuram (Tamil Nadu), Nov 14 (IANS) DMK Deputy General Secretary and parliamentary party leader Kanimozhi has urged police to intensify efforts to trace seven-year-old Hemalatha, also known as Hemavathi, who went missing from Alampoondi village near Gingee in Tamil Nadu’s Viluppuram over a month ago.
Kanimozhi, accompanied by former minister Gingee Masthan, visited the family’s house on Kulakkarai Street and met the child’s parents, Vadivelu and Bhavani.
She heard their account of the disappearance, consoled them, and assured them of support in their efforts to find their daughter.
The Class II student has been missing for 34 days, according to the account provided during the visit. Her family has received no information about her whereabouts.
Speaking to reporters, Kanimozhi said the girl disappeared the morning after celebrating her birthday.
Describing the prolonged uncertainty faced by the parents, she questioned whether sufficient action had been taken to locate the child. She said the parents approached police immediately after discovering that their daughter was missing. Although an investigation had begun, she alleged that it had not produced any information that could reassure the family.
Kanimozhi also questioned the manner in which the complaint had been registered.
Referring to Supreme Court directions concerning missing children, she asked why the case had reportedly been recorded as a missing person complaint rather than being investigated from the outset for possible kidnapping or trafficking. She demanded a more vigorous investigation and urged authorities to explain the steps taken so far to trace the girl.
The government had a responsibility to ensure children’s safety and provide support to families facing such distress, she said.
The parents deserved both reassurance and clear information about the progress of the search, she added. Kanimozhi also expressed concern over what she described as an increase in crimes against women and children.
Referring to reports of disappearances in Cuddalore, she said cases involving children, college students and working women required urgent attention from law enforcement agencies. She called on police to take effective measures to prevent such crimes and ensure protection for affected families. Kanimozhi stressed the anguish of parents waiting for news of a missing child and the need for authorities to respond with urgency and sensitivity.
She had earlier sought an explanation from the government about the measures taken in Hemalatha’s case and demanded that the search be intensified to secure the child’s safe return to her family.
–IANS
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