Search Ramps Up for Missing 7‑Year‑Old in Villupuram

A seven‑year‑old girl named Hemalatha has been missing from her home in Alampoondi near Gingee for five days. She disappeared on the night of Sunday, October 11, after celebrating her birthday and going to sleep around 11 p.m. with her parents and grandmother. Her mother found her absent at about 5:30 a.m., noting that one of the two doors was open.

Search Operation

The Villupuram district police, under Superintendent of Police S. Madhivanan, have expanded the hunt by adding extra teams. Up to five special squads led by an Additional Superintendent of Police and three investigation groups are combing thorny scrub and hilly terrain, aided by sniffer dogs. Notices bearing Hemalatha’s photograph have been sent to police stations throughout Tamil Nadu.

Investigation

Investigators are reviewing the backgrounds of residents in Alampoondi and nearby villages who have prior criminal records, especially those linked to the POCSO Act. They are also checking whether any other person has gone missing from the area since the incident. Approximately 600 mobile‑call records from three towers between 11 p.m. on October 11 and 3 a.m. the next morning have been examined, and CCTV footage from two road cameras covering the period 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. has been analyzed.

Context

Missing‑child cases often trigger thorough checks of local criminal histories and extensive door‑to‑door searches, as authorities aim to rule out abduction or foul play quickly.