7 minors missing from fair traced in joint police operation

AGRA: In a joint operation, Mathura and Hathras police traced seven children who had gone missing from the Shri Dauji Maharaj fair on Sunday. The children, all aged between 5 and 9, were safely reunited with their families on Monday.Police said the children, who had gone to the fair to sell balloons, were reported missing by evening when their families raised an alarm through Dial 112. An intensive search was launched immediately.Pamphlets with their photos were circulated on social media, including police WhatsApp groups and volunteer networks. Surveillance was tightened at district borders, while teams were deployed at bus stands, railway stations and markets.

Over 200 CCTV feeds were scanned. Shopkeepers near the fair said the children were seen lingering close to stalls. Footage later showed some boarding a train to Mathura while others were spotted near Sasni Gate in Hathras.Acting on these leads, three children were found near Sasni Gate crossing. Their questioning revealed that the other four were at Mathura railway station. A team was rushed there, and the children were rescued.“All seven have been handed over safely to their families, who expressed gratitude for the police’s quick response and tireless efforts,” Hathras SSP Chiranjeev Nath Sinha said.(Input from Sumit Sharma)