The Biz Reporter
New Delhi: The Centre on Tuesday informed the Lok Sabha that hundreds of cases of missing minor girls have been reported in Jammu and Kashmir over the past five years, with a significant number still untraced, raising serious concerns about child safety in the Union Territory.
Replying to an unstarred question, the Minister of State for Home Affairs said that data compiled by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reveals that 509 girl children below the age of 18 were reported missing in 2023. Of these, 209 have been traced, while 300 remain untraced.
The figures highlight a persistent trend over the years. In 2022, 502 cases of missing minor girls were reported, followed by 443 cases in 2021, 350 in 2020, and 355 in 2019, indicating that the issue continues to remain a matter of concern.
The minister informed the House that the Centre has been extending support to states and Union Territories through various initiatives, advisories, and schemes aimed at addressing the problem of missing children.
He noted that digital platforms such as TrackChild and Khoya-Paya have been integrated under Mission Vatsalya to aid in tracing missing children. These platforms are also linked with the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System (CCTNS) to enhance coordination among law enforcement agencies.
To streamline response mechanisms, the government has issued standard operating procedures (SOPs) for handling missing children cases. All states and UTs have been directed to register FIRs immediately, treating such cases as abduction or trafficking unless proven otherwise.
Further, support systems like Child Helpline 1098 and the Emergency Response Support System (112) are operational round-the-clock to assist children in distress. Anti-Human Trafficking Units have also been strengthened across the country, including in Jammu and Kashmir.
The minister added that awareness programmes, improved monitoring, and stronger inter-agency coordination are being prioritised to enhance tracing efforts and ensure the safety and protection of children.
