KOCHI: A youth has been arrested by the Aluva police in connection with the disappearance of the minor daughter of a migrant worker. The arrested has been identified as Manik (18), a native of Murshidabad in West Bengal. According to his statement, he took the 12-year-old girl with him with the intention of marrying her. The man befriended the girl by following her in person and contacting over the phone.

The daughter of a native of West Bengal who lives in Edayapuram went missing around 5 pm on Sunday. The girl, who had gone to buy goods from a nearby shop, did not return and a complaint was lodged with the police.

Residents of the area had testified that three North Indian youths were seen in suspicious circumstances near the girl's house. On checking the nearby CCTV footage, it was found that two men were following the girl on road.

During the police investigation, the girl called her mother's sister at night and informed that she was going with her friend. The girl and three other people were found from a labour camp in Angamaly during the investigation focused on the tower location. The police had informed that a case would be registered against the youth under sections of the POCSO Act.