Maneswar: A daily wager and his wife are at their wits’ end over their daughter who went missing seven months back. Basudev Dhanuar and Gurubari Dhanuar claim the local police are dragging their heels inordinately over the case.
The missing girl, identified as Ranjita (16), hailed from Gulunda village under Dhama police limits in Sambalpur district. Her parents said in their complaint with police that a youth named Abinash Patel kidnapped the girl while she was visiting her sister in a neighbouring village.
Under pressure to make an arrest, police detained Abinash but soon let him go after interrogation. Family members suspected Ranjita to be raped and murdered and lodged a written complaint. They then themselves set out to search for Ranjita with her photograph in hand, thanks to the lackadaisical efforts of police.
Basudev and his wife have till now met dozens of relatives, friends and villagers seeking to trace out Ranjita but in vain. They even sought the help of sorcerers to trace Ranjita’s whereabouts and claimed that the police are trying to mislead them.
“The police ask me to come next month every time I go to them for help,” a teary-eyed Basudev said. The incident occurred while Basudev along with Gurubari left the village to work as labourers. Taking advantage, Abinash lured the girl into a relationship. On learning of the incident, Ranjita’s parents opposed the relationship as she was a minor. Fearing that Abinash might abduct her, they sent Ranjita to her elder sister’s home.
However, Abinash reached there and abducted the girl during the ‘Danda’ festival. They say they have not heard from their daughter since. However, Abinash is seen roaming around freely in the village.
“The police is taking the case lightly as we belong to a poor family,” Gurubari said. Locals also sympathised with the family and demanded that police look out for Ranjita. PNN
