Kataka: Two days after being allegedly kidnapped from Kataka railway station, a 7-year-old girl was rescued safely on Monday, bringing relief to her family.
Police have detained an elderly man suspected of being involved in the abduction for questioning in connection with the incident.
Sources said the girl was rescued from the Balikuda area of Kataka following an intensive search operation jointly conducted by Commissionerate Police, Government Railway Police (GRP), Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Child Welfare Committee (CWC).
Police launched a massive search after the minor went missing while she was waiting to board a train with her maternal grandparents. Ten teams were reportedly formed to trace the girl and identify the person suspected of taking her.
Iinvestigators examined CCTV footage from the railway station and surrounding areas, besides analysing technical inputs to track the movements of the suspect. The footage reportedly showed the girl walking with an elderly man after she went missing, police sources said.
Acting on the leads generated during the investigation, police traced the suspect to the Balikuda area and rescued the girl safely. The elderly man, who is reportedly a resident of the Balikuda area, was detained and is being questioned by police.
The girl was found to be in good health. Following her rescue, police informed her family and handed her over to the CWC as per procedure. She will be reunited with her family after undergoing a medical examination.
The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon when the girl allegedly disappeared from Kataka railway station. Her maternal grandparents, residents of the Aul area of Kendrapada district, had brought her to Kataka and were waiting to board a train to Palalahada in Anugola district.
Her grandparents searched the railway station and nearby areas but could not trace her. They subsequently approached the GRP, which allegedly directed them to approach Chauliaganj police, where a complaint was lodged. After a two-day search, police finally traced the girl and rescued her safely. Further investigation is underway.