A major controversy has unfolded in Uttarakhand following the abduction of a minor girl by a local barber, identified as Salman, in Pauri Garhwal. The incident has not only stirred communal tensions but has also led to widespread protests among the local Hindu community, demanding justice for the victim.
The mother of the 16-year-old girl, a student in class 10, reported to the Kirtinagar police on October 28 that her daughter was being harassed by Salman, who attempted to convert her to Islam. The same day, the girl went missing, escalating community tensions. Locals, agitated by the incident, took to the streets, damaging properties and giving the police a 12-hour ultimatum to resolve the situation.
The police, led by Senior Superintendent of Police Ayush Aggarwal, initiated a detailed investigation. Surveillance footage from a local gym in Ufalda showed the girl leaving with two men later identified as Mohsin and Rakesh Bhatt. The trail led the police to Najibabad, Uttar Pradesh, where the girl was rescued and the perpetrators, including Salman (alias Ishaan) and his relative Shan Malik (alias Imran), were arrested. Rakesh Bhatt, a local from Ghildiyal village, was also apprehended for his involvement in aiding the abduction.
#WATCH | Uttarakhand | Addl SP, Tehri Garhwal – JR Joshi says, “We received information regarding the missing of a minor girl. Separate teams were formed to search for the girl… A case has been registered and a search for the girl is going on… We are collecting the evidence,… pic.twitter.com/jox3VFlQjx
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) October 29, 2024
The accused have been charged under the Uttarakhand Religious Freedom Act and the Protection of Children Against Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. They were presented in court and subsequently jailed. Mohsin, currently absconding, is also under police pursuit.
Chairperson of the State Women’s Commission, Kushum Kandwal, condemned the incident, emphasising that such acts of “love jihad” and forced religious conversion are intolerable in Uttarakhand, known as Devbhoomi or the land of gods. She has ensured the victim receives counseling and care at a “One Stop Center.” Kandwal has urged parents and law enforcement to remain vigilant against deceptive practices under the guise of friendship or love.
#नाबालिग_किशोरी_को_बरगलाकर_भगा_ले_जाने_वालों को टिहरी पुलिस ने किया #गिरफ्तार ।#uttarakhandpolice #tehripolice #ssptehri #caseworkout #गिरफ्तार pic.twitter.com/u3TaMd5lGl
— Tehri Garhwal Police Uttarakhand (@TehriGarhwalPol) October 30, 2024
Reports reveal that the girl had been in communication with a Muslim girl from Srinagar, receiving Islamic content and allegedly undergoing indoctrination. She had changed her social media identity to ‘Muslim Amin Mirza’ and was actively promoting Islamic beliefs online, which led to the school administration filing a complaint.
This case has ignited discussions on the safety of minors, religious conversions, and communal harmony. The incident has not only affected the local community but has also drawn attention to the broader issues of online grooming and the manipulation of minors for religious conversion.
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