PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
The Uttarakhand State Commission for Women (USCW) chairwoman Kusum Kandwal stated that the government has implemented strict laws against religious conversion, emphasising that those who engage in love jihad will not be spared under any circumstances. She said this while taking cognisance of the case of a girl who ran away from home after reportedly becoming a victim of love Jihad in Rishikesh.
Kandwal shared that, according to information received from the girl’s family, a 19-year-old from Rishikesh had been allegedly manipulated by a male from a particular community in Uttar Pradesh through social media. He convinced her to run away last Sunday, asking her to meet him in Pune. After the girl wandered for four days, the Rishikesh police located her based on her family’s missing person report. She was found near Mumbai and has now been brought back to Rishikesh, she said.
Kandwal said that in light of this incident, she has directed the district magistrate and the superintendent of police (Rural) along with the station officer of Rishikesh to take strict action against the individual who lured the girl via social media. She warned that there would be no mercy for anyone targeting the girls of State with such tactics. The girl has been safely recovered and she will receive counselling at the commission.
Kandwal further stated that it is the responsibility of family members to supervise their children and stay informed about their daily lives.
