Recovery rate of missing children in Odisha lowest in country
BHUBANESWAR: The state police failed miserably in tracing children, who had gone missing in 2019, if the latest data by national crime records bureau (NCRB) is any indication. The NCRB has placed Odisha at the bottom as far as the recovery percentage of the missing children in the country is concerned.
In 2019, the recovery rate of the missing children in Odisha was 27.1%, the lowest in the country. Kerala topped with 94% recovery of the missing children. Notably, Odisha’s recovery rate of missing children was at a better place with 31.7% in 2018, the NCRB report stated.
The data said altogether 5,503 had stood untraced in the state till 2019. The figure comprised 3,151 children, who went missing in 2019, and 2,352 other kids, who had continued to remain untraced from 2018. Of the total 5,503 missing children, the police traced 1,490 children in 2019. The data said 4,013 children were still untraceable.
The poor recovery rate occurred despite special drives that were launched by the state Crime Branch in the past. The Crime Branch had launched month-long campaigns under the banners of ‘Muskaan’, ‘Smile’ and ‘Paree’ between 2015 and 2019 to trace and recover missing children. “This year, we have not been able to launch the drive due to the pandemic,” a Crime Branch officer said.
Police said bulk of the cases involved elopement and illegal engagement of children at several workplaces. “We rescued many children from houses where they were engaged as domestic help. They were also recovered from different shelter homes, station platforms, bus stands, eateries and religious places. Missing cases relating to children are treated as abduction cases,” the officer said.
Social workers said the police should conduct special drives every month. “We request the government for proper rehabilitation, care and education of the rescued children. Their parents should be educated so that they do not send their children back to workplaces after they are rescued by police,” child rights activist, Anuradha Mohanty said.
Recently, state police drew a comprehensive standard operating procedure (SOP) for investigations into cases relating to missing persons, especially children. The SOP highlighted the steps that should be taken during the inquiry, ascertaining the motive or reasons for the missing of victims and piecing together the clues.