Year after year, India fights with the increasing number of missing persons, a crisis that disproportionately affects women and children. As we deal with the issue of missing persons in Assam, it's essential to contextualize the broader national scenario.
According to the data presented in the National Crime Records Bureau's (NCRB) Crime in India (CII) reports, a striking pattern emerges. Females constitute a significant majority, accounting for approximately two-thirds of all reported missing persons in the country. This alarming statistic shows the vulnerability faced by women, raising concerns about their safety and well-being.
Click here to join our WhatsApp channel
Children, comprising one in every five missing persons, add another layer of complexity to the issue. The number of missing children raises questions about their security and the challenges involved in ensuring their safe return. Behind each missing child is a family gripped by anxiety, hoping for their loved one's swift and safe return.
Looking deeper into the data, it is witnessed that about 50% of all missing persons are reported as traced. While this may provide some relief, it brings about a critical examination of the circumstances surrounding those who remain unaccounted for.
What contributes to the fact that people are missing every now and then? What hurdles every missing individual must have faced?
In Assam, the increasing number of missing cases imitates the national trend, mirroring the challenges faced by authorities and communities. Families in Assam share the same anxieties and uncertainties as those across the country, amplifying the urgency for effective measures to address the root causes of these disappearances.
Understanding the intricacies of missing cases involves acknowledging the diverse reasons behind each disappearance. While some cases may involve voluntary departures triggered by family conflicts, others reveal a darker reality – individuals enticed by promises of jobs, only to become victims of trafficking.
Recently, Assam has witnessed a concerning surge in the number of missing cases, raising alarms among residents and authorities alike. The issue has cast a shadow over the safety and well-being of individuals, particularly minors, prompting a closer examination of the prevailing circumstances and the challenges faced by law enforcement in addressing these cases.
The distressing issue came to light on February 12 when two minors disappeared from Mariani. One of the missing girls, slated to appear for her high school examination, managed to reassure her parents on February 17 through a phone call, disclosing that they were in Kolkata. She shared plans to board a train to Guwahati on February 19, with an expected return home by February 21.
National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data reveals a staggering 47,000 missing children in India, with 71.4% being minor girls. The figures for the five years leading up to 2022 depict a fluctuating trend, with a notable 7.5% increase in 2022 compared to the previous year.
Assam Finance and Women & Child Development Minister Ajanta Neog reported that 3,779 children had gone missing in Assam between 2020 and 2023.
Several recent incidents further emphasize the gravity of the situation. On February 14, a 58-year-old man went missing from Ganeshguri, while on January 14, a minor girl was reported missing from the Basistha area. The latter incident eventually revealed to be related to a love affair, ended with the girl being rescued from Ghaziabad railway station.
Another more complex case unfolded on February 14, involving schoolgirls from Noonmati who had gone missing. The girls messaged a friend, stating they had eloped willingly and would return home after five years. Despite their request for privacy, the police intervened, successfully rescuing them from Tihu in Nalbari district. The victims' fathers revealed the girls were lured with promises of jobs in Hyderabad.
During Saraswati Puja celebrations in Guwahati, a third student disappeared from Noonmati High School, raising concerns within the victim's family.
On February 19, three girls from Raghunath Choudhary High School in Birkuchi, Guwahati, were recovered from Sonapur after being reported missing. One of the girls carried a phone, but attempts to reach her proved futile as the device was switched off.
While these incidents draw attention to the rising number of missing cases, data from Crime in India offers some context.
A source in Assam Police talking to GPlus said, "In 2020, 2,338 persons were reported missing in Guwahati, with 2,032 being traced. In 2021, 1,456 went missing, and 933 were traced, and in 2022, 1,862 were reported missing, with 1,698 traced."
Talking to GPlus, a senior from CID said, "There are many missing cases reported. "Not every case fits the label of kidnapping. We encounter situations where individuals choose to leave voluntarily, often driven by family conflicts. Equally concerning are cases where promises of employment serve as bait, leading to individuals being trafficked. Understanding these varied circumstances is essential for effective investigation and intervention."
The escalating number of missing cases in Assam reflects a nationwide crisis, impacting women and children. The recent incidents underscore the complexities involved, emphasizing the need for comprehensive strategies to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals, particularly minors, in the face of this growing concern.
