The increasing missing cases, especially of females and underage children reported every day, are creating flutter in the so-called civilised society, which has failed to analyse the causes for the emerging outrageous trend.
The numerical data available in the police stations itself is quite sufficient to disturb the well being of society, however, apart from missing cases registered in the police stations, there are large number of cases which go unnoticed and unregistered.
The phenomenon is truly intimidating, which pose alarming threat. New software ‘National Tracking system for Missing and Vulnerable Children’ introduced in 2013 all across the country by Ministry for Women and Child Development, offers substantive statistics over children who go missing, and is also an eye-opener, which calls for immediate attention.
In Udupi District, not less than, 150-200 missing cases are reported every year. In 2015, as many as 12 cases are registered in two months apart from other cases that have remained unregistered. Of the total 12 cases registered in the district, police were able to trace five cases and seven are yet to be traced.
In 2012, as many as 172 missing cases were reported. Of which 152 were traced and 20 were untraced. Of the total 172, as many as 18 were boys and nine girls were in the age group of 0-18. As many as 70 females aged above 18 went missing in 2012.
In 2013, as many as 207 missing cases were reported and 181 cases were traced. Nearly 26 cases remained untraced. Of 207, 19 were girls and 25 were boys in the age group of 0-18. While 89 women went missing in 2013.
In 2014, nearly 201 cases were reported, of which 171 cases are traced and 30 untraced. In 2014, there were 19 girls and 18 boys in the age group of 0-18, while there are 79 women who went missing.
New phenomenon
An in-depth analysis of all missing cases throws light on the emerging new phenomenon of socio-cultural set up.
Most cases registered in police stations expose the fact that the underage missing cases are reported mainly due to exam and school pressure, parental pressure, disturbances and frequent fights at home, poverty and love with the opposite sex.
Majority females who go missing is due to opposition from parents for their love. The problem with married females who go missing is their extra-marital relationship.
Sometimes these mothers also take their children with them. Senior citizens who go missing are mainly due to financial problems and psychological instability.
The other reason for missing is non-curable diseases. Sources reveal that there are hardly genuine kidnap cases reported although as per court order, all missing cases of below 18 years of age should be registered as kidnap case under IPC Section 363.
Besides, provisions of POCSO Act (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012) is also involved in kidnap cases. The department sometimes finds it difficult to trace missing cases as, in most cases, the contact would be lost.
Rate of deaths
Next come, rate of deaths in missing cases. The missing persons may commit suicide or may incur death in distant places.
Department officials are unable to identify the body decomposed or disfigured owing to brutality of the accident or violence. The mentally ill who go faraway are also not able to reveal their identity and whereabouts of their families.
The minors who get married settle down in distant places fearing arrest. In all these cases, the department would not be able to trace missing complaints, sources said.
Superintendent of Police Annamalai told Deccan Herald that special emphasis is given for investigation of all missing cases particularly of women and children. The police stations in the district are communicated about particulars of missing cases immediately and to Anti Human Trafficking Cell CID.
The cases are investigated by PSI for first six months and taken over by CPI for period between six months to one year and by DySP for up to two years. The department is closely working with other departments like Women and Child Welfare, Revenue, Health and Education with support of local NGOs.
The officers are sensitised on women and child issues by jointly conducting workshops in coordination with judicial officers, Women and Child Welfare Department officials and advocates.
Besides, officers are also sensitised about crime against women and children. People are briefed at police stations about modus operandi of traffickers and their way of operation by false stories like good jobs and better future.
A special squad is formed in each sub-division level with experienced police personnel to tack missing cases of children below 18 years that are reported. The team would comprise of one ASI ranking official with two head police constables, he added.
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