Coimbatore: A 10-year-old girl who had been missing since May 21 was found dead near Kannampalayam Lake in Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore district, triggering outrage across the state and demands for strict action against the accused.
Police have arrested two suspects, identified as Mohan and Karthick, in connection with the alleged kidnapping and murder of the child. The incident has sparked protests from local residents, students and family members, while Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay condemned the crime as an “inhuman and unforgivable criminal act”.
The victim’s family has demanded justice and sought severe punishment for those responsible.
Girl went missing while playing
According to family members, the girl went missing on Thursday evening after returning from a nearby shop.
Relatives said the family initially searched for her locally before approaching the police after she could not be found.
Her uncle, Palanisamy, told ANI that the family later learned that the child had allegedly been kidnapped.
He said police informed them that two accused had been arrested in connection with the case.
“I was told that the girl went missing two days ago in the evening after she had returned from a nearby shop,” he said.
The child’s body was later discovered near Kannampalayam Lake with visible injuries, intensifying anger and grief among residents in the area.
Police arrest two accused
Police identified the arrested suspects as Mohan and Karthick.
Investigators suspect that the child may have been strangled to death, although the exact cause of death will be confirmed after the post-mortem examination.
The body was sent to a government hospital for autopsy after Sulur Police Station registered a case and initiated an investigation.
Officials said further inquiry is underway to establish the sequence of events and possible motive behind the crime.
The police have not yet publicly disclosed additional details regarding the circumstances of the alleged kidnapping and murder.
CM Vijay condemns crime
Reacting to the incident, Chief Minister Vijay said the crime had deeply shocked him and described it as unacceptable in society.
In a post on X, he expressed condolences to the victim’s family and assured strict legal action against those responsible.
“I share my deepest condolences with the relatives of the family of the little girl who is grieving the loss of their dear child,” he said.
The Chief Minister confirmed that two accused connected to the case had been arrested and directed police officials to conduct a thorough and speedy investigation.
He also instructed authorities to file the chargesheet at the earliest.
“The Tamil Nadu government will firmly act to ensure that those who engage in such heinous acts against women and children receive severe punishment under the law,” Vijay added.
Protests erupt demanding justice
The incident triggered protests in the region, with hundreds of students and local residents staging demonstrations demanding justice for the child.
Protesters reportedly organised a road blockade and called for swift punishment against the accused.
According to reports, police intervened to disperse demonstrators from the protest site.
Family members and relatives of the victim insisted that they wanted justice rather than any form of compromise.
One relative told ANI that the family did not want to sign any documents or accept any settlement.
“We want justice and want to see what punishment is given to these accused individuals,” the relative said.
Growing concerns over crimes against children
The case has once again brought attention to concerns regarding crimes against women and children in Tamil Nadu and across India.
Child safety activists and rights organisations have repeatedly called for faster investigations, stronger preventive mechanisms and improved public safety measures to protect children from violent crimes.
Incidents involving kidnapping and assault of minors often trigger widespread public anger and demands for stricter implementation of laws related to crimes against children.
The case is likely to remain under close public and political scrutiny as the investigation progresses.
Police officials have said that further details will emerge after the completion of forensic examinations and interrogation of the accused.
Investigation underway
Authorities are continuing the investigation to determine all circumstances surrounding the crime.
Officials are also expected to examine CCTV footage, witness accounts and forensic evidence as part of the probe.
The tragic incident has left the local community in shock, with residents demanding quick justice and stronger measures to ensure children’s safety in the region.
For now, the arrests of the two suspects have brought some progress in the case, but anger and grief continue to dominate public sentiment in Coimbatore.