Udupi: Five-year-old girl rescued from bus stand, reunited with mother

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Mar 21, 2026: A five-year-old girl found in a helpless condition at the government bus stand in Bannanje was rescued by authorities. She was initially taken to the Child Welfare Committee office at Doddanagudde and later rehabilitated at the Krishnanugraha Adoption Centre in Lakshmi Nagar as per the committee’s directions.

During the inquiry, it was revealed that the child’s mother is a native of Gadag. After the death of her husband, she had come to Udupi with the child in search of livelihood. Although she secured a job, she had no accommodation, forcing both mother and child to stay at the bus stand for several days. While the mother went to work, the child remained at the bus stand.

At present, the employer has arranged accommodation for the mother, and following her request, the child has been reunited with her. Both are now safe.

The incident came to light after members of the public alerted the patrolling Akka squad about the child being left unattended at the bus stand. The rescue operation was carried out with the assistance of social worker Nithyananda Olakadu. Akka squad members Rakshitha and Vanitha, along with staff from the emergency helpline centre and child protection unit personnel Prakash and Vidyashree, took part in the operation.