DMK Deputy General Secretary and parliamentary party leader Kanimozhi on 14 November visited the family of Hemalatha — also known as Hemavathi — a seven-year-old girl who has been missing for over 34 days from Alampoondi village near Gingee in Viluppuram district, Tamil Nadu, and demanded that police intensify efforts to trace the child. The Class II student was last seen the morning after her birthday celebrations, and her family has received no information about her whereabouts since.

The Visit and Family Meeting

Kanimozhi, accompanied by former minister Gingee Masthan, called on the child's parents — Vadivelu and Bhavani — at their residence on Kulakkarai Street. She heard their account of the disappearance, offered consolation, and assured them of her support in the ongoing search. The family had approached police immediately after discovering their daughter was missing, according to the account shared during the visit.

Kanimozhi Questions Police Response

Speaking to reporters after the visit, Kanimozhi questioned whether sufficient action had been taken in the 34 days since the girl's disappearance. She alleged that while an investigation had been initiated, it had not produced any information that could reassure the family. She also raised concerns about the manner in which the complaint was registered.

Citing Supreme Court directions on missing children, Kanimozhi asked why the case had reportedly been recorded as a routine missing person complaint rather than being investigated from the outset as a possible kidnapping or trafficking case. She demanded that authorities explain the steps taken so far and called for a more vigorous probe.

Broader Concern Over Crimes Against Children and Women

Kanimozhi expressed concern over what she described as a rise in crimes against women and children across the region. Referring to reports of disappearances in Cuddalore, she said cases involving children, college students, and working women required urgent attention from law enforcement. She called on police to take effective preventive measures and ensure protection for affected families.

'The government has a responsibility to ensure children's safety and provide support to families facing such distress,' she said, adding that parents deserved both reassurance and clear information about the progress of the search.

Background and Earlier Intervention

Hemalatha went missing from Alampoondi village the morning after celebrating her birthday, according to her parents. Kanimozhi had earlier sought an explanation from the government regarding the measures taken in the case and had demanded that the search be intensified to secure the child's safe return. This visit underscores the growing political scrutiny on law enforcement's handling of child disappearance cases in Tamil Nadu, particularly in districts such as Viluppuram and Cuddalore.

With no confirmed leads reported in over a month, pressure is mounting on the Tamil Nadu police to escalate the investigation and provide a credible update to the family.