The national Capital continues to be highly unsafe for children. Despite the tall claims of the Delhi Police, the number of children going missing has increased alarmingly to 16 per day.
In 2011 and 2012, on an average 14 children went missing from Delhi. Till April 15 this year, 1,766 children were reported to have gone missing and 1,157 were traced and restored to their families by the police and other law enforcing agencies.
With 614 missing cases registered in Kirari area of Outer District, it has emerged as a notorious region. Outer district comprises Aman Vihar, Samaipur Badli, Bawana, Narela and Sultanpuri. It is followed by North District and South District — Timarpur, Maurice Nagar, Civil lines, Gulabi Bagh, Burari, Sadar Bazaar, Subzi Mandi, Wazirpur, Fatehpur Beri, Saket, Vasant Kunj, Neb Sarai, Kotla Mubarak Pur, Mehrauli and RK Puram, Jamia Nagar. The more disturbing fact is that the number of missing girls is much higher than that of male children. As per the latest data provided by the Delhi Police, nine girls go missing every day, while the number is seven for boys. Total 1,020 female children and 746 male children have gone missing till April 15 this year.
A senior police official admitted that number of missing children has increased, but added: “We managed to trace missing children in 66 per cent cases this year. FIRs are registered without any delay and investigations are taken up."
Delhi legal Services Authority has revealed that majority of children are driven by socio-economic and personal reasons to desert their homes, said Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat.
“It will not be right to say that all these children are abducted. Several times, they leave their homes. After a child is traced, he or she is handed over to the Delhi legal Services Authority (DSlA) where they are counselled,” he added.
The study reveals that 38 per cent children did not like being at home and left their homes on their own. “Significant number of children run away from home to avoid scolding from parents, however some elope with their friends or in some cases, children take such steps after having failed to cope up with academic pressure,” the police said.
However, social activists claimed that the number of missing cases is rising due to widespread network of trafficking in Delhi and neighbouring States. “Many children have gone missing from the Capital and have been found in Western Uttar Pradesh and Haryana and many children missing from other States have been found in Delhi,” said RS Chaurasia, Chairperson of Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA).
Chaurasia further said that a detailed investigation of each case should be done to track the network. “The Delhi Police should also maintain a record of the arrested traffickers,” he said.