Nagpur: In a shocking revelation, it has been reported that over 5,600 girls have gone missing from Maharashtra alone in the year 2023. According to data tabled by the Chairperson of the State Commission for Women, Rupali Chakankar, in January 1,600 girls were reported missing, in February the number went up to 1,810, and in March a whopping 2,200 girls went missing from the state.
These statistics do not even include girls who have been abducted, and minors’ identities cannot be revealed due to the law. The majority of the missing girls fall in the age group of 18 to 25.
The Chairperson of the State Commission for Women, Rupali Chakankar, expressed her concern over the matter and said that the missing persons’ cell of the police needs to find out the reasons behind such a large number of missing girls.
Interestingly, the rate of missing girls is higher in rural areas as compared to cities. In March, Pune reported the highest number of missing girls at 228, followed by Nashik at 161, Kolhapur district at 114, Thane at 133, Ahmednanar at 101, Jalgaon at 81, Sangli at 82, and Yavatmal at 74. On the other hand, Hingoli reported only three missing girls, followed by Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri at three and twelve respectively, and Nandurbar and Bhandara at 14 and 16.
The figures are indeed alarming, and it is important for the authorities to take immediate action to investigate the reasons behind such a high number of missing girls.
Notably, the Social Service Branch (SSB) of Nagpur Police rescued a 12-year-old girl, student of Standard VII, from flesh trade racket. Cops arrested two women, Farida Khan and Dhanashree Waghmare for their alleged role in the racket.
The minor, who has lost her mother, was lured into the racket by the two accused women with promises of money and mobile phone. The SSB unit conducted a raid at a Jaripatka apartment after sending a decoy customer. An offence was subsequently registered at the Jaripatka police station.
