Police launch search after woman goes missing

Mangaluru: A 22-year-old woman went missing on Thursday, after she failed to return to the Swadhara Centre in Mudipu, where she was staying. The missing person is Zulekha Khatoon, hailing from West Bengal, who had been involved in a begging case, and had come under the care of the Prajna Swadhar Centre.

According to a complaint filed by the supervisor of the centre, Zulekha's family could not be located, and she was sent to the Bhumi organisation in March 2024, as per official orders. However, she struggled to adjust, and went missing on April 18. She was later found at the Mangaluru Central railway station and brought back to the Mudipu Prajna Swadhar Home, where she had been helping with small chores.

Zulekha was responsible for taking four children from the centre to the anganwadi in Kurnadu and bringing them back. On Thursday, she left as usual at 2.45pm, to pick up the children, but did not return after half-an-hour. When the complainant enquired with the anganwadi teacher, they found that Zulekha had never arrived, and the children were still at the anganwadi.

After searching the surrounding area, including Mudipu Junction, the staff could not locate her. A case has been registered at Konaje police station, and the police have launched a search.