Yavatmal: BJP Yavatmal district president Praful Chavan has alleged 34 girls are missing from Ralegaon town. He claimed that the girls were trafficked out of state, sold, and forced into prostitution.The allegations have created a major stir across the district, prompting immediate action from the police. Authorities have initiated an investigation into the matter, and several suspects have already been questioned.Taking serious note of the issue, Tribal Development Minister Dr Ashok Uike held discussions with Chavan, along with local party office-bearers and the additional superintendent of police. A demand for a thorough and immediate investigation was made during the meeting.Meanwhile, activists of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal staged a protest at the Ralegaon police station demanding strict action in the case.Later, Uike visited Ralegaon police station and held discussions with the sub-divisional police officer Bansal and other officials. Following this, police detained five individuals in connection with the case.Additional superintendent of police Ashok Thorat said that a complaint regarding missing girls was received recently, after which an inquiry was initiated. He clarified that earlier complaints had also been investigated, revealing that in some cases, girls were married off and later returned to their parents, indicating elements of fraud.He further noted that two separate gangs appear to be involved in such activities. In a recent incident, a minor girl was allegedly being forced into marriage and based on a complaint received from the Women and Child Welfare Department, a case has been registered against four accused.
