Dharmasthala 'mass burials': SIT gets missing complaint about teenage girl who disappeared 10 yrs ago

Mangaluru: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up to investigate the alleged mass burials in Dharmasthala received a complaint about a 17-year-old girl having gone missing in Dharmasthala in 2015.

Nithin submitting a missing complaint about his sister Hemavathy to SIT office in Beltangady police station on Thursday and told media persons that Hemavathy accompanied by a woman in the neighbourhood had set out to visit Dharmasthala 10 years ago. Until today Hemavathy has not returned home in Kaval Mudoor in Bantwal taluk. "A missing complaint filed in police station was rejected. We do not have any documents to prove that a missing complaint was submitted," Nithin said.

"Following SIT's appeal on sharing any information about those who had gone missing after visiting Dharmasthala, we decided to file a complaint with the SIT. We are anxious to know the whereabouts of my sister. My mother mourns over the death of her daughter even today," he added.

"My sister dropped out from eighth standard and was assisting mother by rolling beedis. On the fateful day, we received a call from our neighbour, who had last seen my sister," he said.

The woman declined to share any information about Hemavathy and has stopped talking to Nithin's family. Nithin's brother Nitesh was also present.

Digging resumes at a new location

No human remains were found at the end of digging by SIT members at a new location identified near Kanyadi by complainant witness who had alleged mass burials in Dharmasthala. The new site located close on the bank of Netravathy river is accessible by passing through a privately owned areca farm. The new site is located about one kilometer from opposite to the bathing ghats along Netravathy river.

The complainant witness along with members of SIT reached the new location at around 12 pm. Puttur Division Assistant Commissioner Stella Varghese, SIT Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar Dayama, forensic experts and labourers also had accompanied complainant witness to the new location. Earthmovers were also shifted to the new location. The complainant witness had so far shown 18 locations and human remains were found only at two locations. On Thursday, the 16th day of exhumation process, media was prevented from reaching the new location.