Kakinada: ₹1 Lakh Reward For Tracing Missing Girl

According to police, the missing child, Jnaneswari, daughter of Sunkara Ganesh and Bhavani of Dondavaka panchayat, was staying with her parents at a garden where they worked as caretakers. On Saturday evening, the child reportedly left the garden in search of her father, accompanied by the family dog.

Despite an intensive search operation involving nearly 100 personnel, the child remained untraced till Monday night.

Police said the area included nearly 1,000 acres of forest land and adjoining hillocks, making the search challenging. Search teams, assisted by forest personnel and local residents, were combing the forest area for both the child and the dog.

The search teams included 25 SDRF personnel, 10 special party members, seven CIs, some SIs, police personnel, forest department staff and local villagers.

The police were using drone surveillance, dog squads, clue teams and other technological tools as part of the search operation.

Tuni rural CI, Chennakesava Rao, said special teams were examining CCTV footage and conducting inquiries in Agraharam and neighbouring villages to ascertain whether any unfamiliar persons were seen in the area around the time of the incident.

Some suspects have been questioned, but no significant leads have emerged.

Sources said a person noticed the child while she was crossing the garden. He attempted to approach her, but was prevented by the dog. He later informed villagers, who alerted the girl's parents.

Family members, relatives and villagers launched a search before lodging a complaint with Tuni rural police.

Following a visit to the area on Sunday, SP Bindu Madhav directed the officials to intensify the search using advanced technology. Peddapuram DSP Tilak was monitoring the operation.

Officials say the forest is known to have wild dogs and foxes. All possible angles are being examined as part of the ongoing investigation.