The city of Ludhiana is on edge following a spike in reports of missing girls and young women over the past month. As social media platforms buzz with claims of an organized abduction syndicate targeting minors, local police and the state’s top women’s watchdog are stepping in to separate fact from viral fiction.
The Numbers: What’s Actually Happening?
While social media chatter has pegged the number of missing girls at 14 within a 38-day span, the Ludhiana Police Commissionerate has released corrected figures to quell the rising panic.
ADCP Ramandeep Singh Bhullar confirmed that 11 FIRs involving 13 missing girls have been registered between late April and early June. Addressing the public’s fears, the ADCP stated, “The figures circulating online are misleading. Every complaint brought to us has been registered with an FIR. There is no evidence of an organized gang or a criminal conspiracy at play.”
Police investigations indicate that many of the cases involve personal domestic issues or girls leaving home voluntarily, often lured by promises of marriage. Authorities pointed to the recent successful recovery of three minor sisters from Jamalpur—who were safely located in their ancestral home in Uttar Pradesh—as proof that their teams are actively tracking and closing cases.
Women’s Commission Puts Police on Notice
The Punjab State Women’s Commission (PSWC) has stepped into the fray, taking suo motu notice of the situation. Chairperson Raj Lali Gill has issued a sharp directive to Police Commissioner Swapan Sharma, demanding a detailed status report on all pending cases.
“We are investigating every angle,” said Chairperson Gill. “While our preliminary findings do not point to a wider conspiracy, the Commission is committed to ensuring that every single case is handled with urgency and transparency.” The Police Commissionerate is expected to submit their findings to the commission by June 8.
Public Scepticism Remains
Despite the police’s reassurance, local residents and families of the missing remain wary. Several parents have alleged that police were initially slow to act or reluctant to register complaints, especially in cases where the missing girls were older teenagers.
As the investigation continues, the police are urging citizens to:
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Ignore Unverified Rumours: Avoid sharing unconfirmed reports that create unnecessary fear.
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Report Directly: Bring any information or complaints directly to the nearest police station or the Police Commissioner’s office.
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Stay Vigilant: Continue to cooperate with ongoing field inquiries as teams work to locate the remaining individuals.
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