Missing cases increasing in city form past two years

When compared to past two years, the number of complaints of missing people in the city has seen a steady increase. In 2009 and 2010, 1076 people were reported missing, of which 538 were under 18-years-old. Of these, 812 cases have been traced by Police.

According to missing complaints received from January 2009 to June 2011, 449 women and 260 girls (total 709) were reported missing. Of these, 520 cases have been solved and the missing persons were restored back to their families. In the same period there were a total of 660 cases of men, including boys (278) were reported missing, of which 451 cases have been successfully traced, of which 206 are under eighteen.

Under 18
In 2009, the number of people below 18 years of age who were reported missing was 201, of which 102 were girls.156 of them were subsequently were traced. In 2010, there was a slight increase in the number of missing youth, with 236 people reported missing, of which 103 were girls. 188 cases were solved. This year, the number of missing complaints registered till the end of June was 101 (31 girls) of which 57 have been traced.

Above 18
When it comes people who went missing who were above 18 years of age, in 2009, 270 were reported missing, of which 138 were women. Except for 65 missing persons all of them were traced. Again 369 people were reported missing in 2010, of which 216 were women. 263 cases have been solved. In the current year 192 cases have been registered till June 30, of which 95 were women. 102 cases have been already solved.

Speaking to Express, Nodal Officer for Human Trafficking, DCP Rajendra Prasad said, `due to stress and various domestic pressures many children, even those hailing from rich families, are running away'.

'Touts will be hunting for such missing children, especially at Railway Station and Bus Stands. They are quick to identify them and take them into their net after winning their confidence. Most of the young girls end up as domestic maids or pushed into flesh trade by selling them off to brothels at far away places. They don't hesitate to inflict violence if they don't obey,' he said and added, "But most of the cases reported are eloping with their lovers." Referring to the unsolved cases he said, 'Many a times we find parents not informing us of their kids safe return fearing social stigma.'

'As Under-18 cases are very sensitive, we will be more empathetic when dealing with them. A special Juvenile Police Officer will look after these children for which he is specially trained," confided Rajendra Prasad.

Immediately after a missing child is traced, it will be reported to the Child Welfare Committee. The child will be provided counselling there. Small girls are immediately sent to Women Juvenile Center.

To reduce incidents of children running away, he called upon parents to pay special attention to their children in addition to providing them mere physical comforts. Parents, especially those belonging to affluent classes, does not find time to spend with their children, making them to spend whole day only in studies. This weakens the bond with their parents making them to flee homes, he observed.

About tracing

To ensure quick detection, a Missing Persons Detection Squad has been formed comprising four members, Assistant Sub Inspector, Head Constable, Police constable and WPC. Investigations will be conducted as per the guidelines given by Supreme Court and National Human Rights Commission confirming to the Standard Operating Procedure.

Immediately upon registration of a missing complaint case in a Police Station, the case will be handled by the concerned Sub-Inspector for six month. If the case remains unsolved even after six months then the Inspector while resume the investigations for another six month. If the person is not traced even after one year, the file will be closed stating 'not traced'.

It was only in 1977 the practice of registering a regular complaint of missing persons came into effect. Earlier to this police, made a record in the Stationary House Diary.
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