A pall of profound anxiety and growing fear has enveloped the industrial town of Khanna in Punjab, as three minor girls have mysteriously vanished without a trace, leaving their families in an agonizing state of despair. For three harrowing days now, since their reported disappearance on the evening of Sunday, May 25, 2025, there has been no discernible clue, no concrete lead, and no word of their whereabouts, deepening the mystery and intensifying the urgency of the ongoing police investigation. The community, gripped by a palpable sense of unease, watches with bated breath, hoping for a breakthrough that will bring the young girls safely back to their homes.

The missing girls, identified as 10-year-old Meena Kumari, 12-year-old Pooja Devi, and 14-year-old Ritu Singh, all residents of the same residential colony in Khanna, were last seen playing together near their homes. The families, belonging to modest backgrounds, recall the last moments with heart-wrenching clarity – children engrossed in their innocent games, unaware of the terrifying fate that awaited them. When they did not return as dusk settled, initially, parents and neighbors began a frantic search within the immediate vicinity. However, as hours turned into the dead of night, and no sign of the girls emerged, the desperate realization dawned that something was terribly wrong.

The police were immediately alerted, and a First Information Report (FIR) was promptly registered at the local police station in Khanna, under relevant sections pertaining to kidnapping or abduction. Superintendent of Police (SP) (Investigations) Pragya Jain, who is personally overseeing the case, has confirmed the registration of the FIR and the launch of a full-scale search operation. Multiple police teams were constituted and dispatched in various directions, extending their search beyond the municipal limits of Khanna. Checkpoints were intensified on arterial roads leading in and out of the town, and railway stations and bus terminals were put on high alert, with photographs and descriptions of the missing girls circulated widely.

However, the three days that have elapsed since their disappearance have been marked by a frustrating lack of progress. Despite the concerted efforts, the investigative teams have yet to uncover any definitive clue that could shed light on the mysterious circumstances of their vanishing. There has been no ransom call, which often provides an immediate lead in abduction cases. No eyewitnesses have come forward claiming to have seen the girls being forcibly taken or coerced. CCTV footage from the vicinity, meticulously reviewed by the police, has also yielded no conclusive evidence that could pinpoint their direction of travel or identify any suspicious individuals or vehicles. The absence of a clear motive or any apparent struggle at the presumed point of disappearance has only compounded the complexity of the case, leaving investigators to grapple with an unsettling void of information.

For the families of Meena, Pooja, and Ritu, each passing hour is an eternity steeped in agony. Their homes, once vibrant with the laughter of children, are now cloaked in a chilling silence, punctuated only by sobs and whispered prayers. The mothers, in particular, are inconsolable, their faces etched with sleepless nights and profound despair. They have issued fervent public appeals through local media and social channels, clutching photographs of their daughters, pleading with anyone who might have even the slightest piece of information to come forward. “We just want our daughters back,” one mother wailed, her voice cracking with raw emotion, “We don’t know where to look, what to do. Every minute is a torture.” The fathers, putting aside their daily toil, have joined community members in organized search parties, combing through fields, abandoned buildings, and remote areas, fueled by a desperate hope against overwhelming odds.

The incident has sent ripples of fear and anxiety throughout the Khanna community. Parents are now more watchful of their children, advising them against venturing out unaccompanied. The innocence of outdoor play, once a hallmark of childhood in the locality, has been replaced by an undercurrent of apprehension. Community leaders have organized prayer vigils and have pledged their full support to the police, urging every resident to be vigilant and report anything out of the ordinary, no matter how insignificant it might seem. This collective fear underscores the deep vulnerability felt when children, especially minors, disappear without explanation, tearing at the fabric of perceived safety.

Cases involving missing children present unique and profound challenges for law enforcement agencies. Unlike many other crimes, there is often no crime scene, no direct evidence of struggle, and sometimes no immediate suspect or motive. The initial hours are critical, as the chances of locating a missing child significantly diminish with each passing day. Police typically rely on a combination of ground searches, technical surveillance (call data records, social media analysis, if applicable), human intelligence, and widespread public appeals. However, in cases like this, where all initial avenues appear to lead to dead ends, the investigation becomes a painstaking process of elimination, often requiring patience, perseverance, and a stroke of luck or a crucial tip-off from the public.

Higher authorities within the Punjab Police establishment are reportedly monitoring the situation closely, recognizing the gravity of three minor girls disappearing simultaneously from a single locality. While no official statements beyond those from local police have been made at the state level, it is understood that resources and expertise are being brought to bear on the case. The state administration is keenly aware of the public outcry such incidents generate and the critical importance of a swift resolution to maintain public trust.

The mysterious disappearance of Meena, Pooja, and Ritu serves as a chilling reminder of the inherent vulnerabilities of children and the ever-present threat of various forms of exploitation, including trafficking, which can unfortunately be a grim reality in such cases. The police continue to appeal to the public for any information, no matter how minor, that could help piece together the puzzle of their vanishing. Every pair of eyes, every piece of information, and every act of vigilance from the community could be the key to unlocking this disturbing mystery and bringing the three young girls back to the anxious embrace of their families. Until then, Khanna holds its breath, unified in its plea for their safe return.