HYDERABAD: Hinting at the existence of a large-scale human trafficking network, state police have found that at least 22 women and girls have gone missing every day in the
state this year. In what is a matter of great concern, the total number of
women and girls that have gone missing in the state in the last four years
stands at a staggering 23,760.
The combined data collected by state police and the women and child welfare department clearly hints towards rampant trafficking in women and girl children in the state. A total of 47,181 persons have gone missing in the state since 2009 including 16,787 children and 12,882 women.
Of the total number of missing children in the state since 2009, about 66% (10,938) are girls. And, the number of missing girls seems to be only increasing as, till July 2012, another 2,786 children have gone missing with over 70% of them (1,955) girls. That means that about 10 girls go missing each day. Similarly, 2,519 women were missing till July this year, which means every day 12 women go missing.
The alarming fact is the number of women and girls that remain missing in government records in the past four years. Since 2009, a total of 23,760 girls and women have gone missing in the state and they are yet to be traced. This hints at the possibility of these victims being caught in the clutches of human traffickers.
To help the family-members track down these missing persons, police have launched a website displaying their case details — http://missingperson.ap.nic.in. Explaining the usefulness of the web portal, additional DG VSK Kaumudi said that one can search for the missing or found person's details on the said website and approach the concerned police station or other government agency for further assistance. The website also features the details of unidentified bodies.
Apparently, railway police find many of these missing children at railway stations and, with the help of NGOs, either rehabilitate or hand them over to family-members.
"If someone finds a missing boy or girl, they can upload the photograph on the website with the person's details after cross-checking the same on the missing persons list. We hope that this facility will help some missing persons to reunite with their families," the ADG said.
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