10,000 Women Reported Missing in J&K from 2019 to 2021: Centre Reveals...
Safety Measures Implemented for Women's Protection: Union Minister of State for Home; Social Media Overuse Identified as Main Cause: Officials
Srinagar, Jul 28 (TTK): Startling disclosures by the Centre indicate that approximately 10,000 women have been reported missing in Jammu and Kashmir from 2019 to 2021, with officials attributing the excessive use of social media as the primary reason behind these cases.
During a session in the Parliament, the Government of India divulged that a total of 9,765 women went missing from their homes in Jammu and Kashmir between 2019 and 2021.
Among these cases, 1,148 were missing girls below the age of 18, and 8,617 were women aged 18 and above.
Yearly data revealed that in 2019, 355 girls and 2,738 women were reported missing, followed by 350 girls and 2,701 women in 2020, and 443 girls and 3,178 women in 2021.
Comparatively, data available with KNO shows that approximately 3,300 women went missing in J&K from 2016 to 2018, indicating a troubling threefold increase in missing cases from 2019 to 2021.
During the years 2016, 2017, and 2018, 943, 1,044, and 1,335 women were reported missing, respectively.
Meanwhile, the Government of India has asserted that they have implemented various initiatives to enhance women's safety across the country.
"The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013 was enacted to ensure effective deterrence against sexual offences. Additionally, the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018 was implemented to introduce even more stringent penal provisions, including the death penalty for rape of girls below the age of 12 years. The Act also mandates the completion of investigations and filing of charge sheets in rape cases within 2 months, with trials to be completed in the same timeframe," stated the MoS Home in Rajya Sabha.
"To address emergencies, the Emergency Response Support System offers a pan-India, internationally recognized number (112) for all distress calls, facilitating the dispatch of immediate assistance to those in need. Furthermore, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) launched a cyber-crime reporting portal on 20th September 2018 for citizens to report obscene content. MHA has also introduced the "National Database on Sexual Offenders" (NDSO) to aid investigation and tracking of sexual offenders nationwide," he added.
"In an effort to improve investigations, MHA launched an online analytical tool called the "Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences" for Police on 19th February 2019. MHA has also taken measures to strengthen DNA analysis units in Central and State Forensic Science Laboratories. This includes the establishment of a State-of-the-Art DNA Analysis Unit in Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Chandigarh, and the sanctioning of setting-up and upgrading of DNA Analysis units in State Forensic Science Laboratories after gap analysis and demand assessment. Furthermore, MHA has issued guidelines for the collection of forensic evidence in sexual assault cases and the standard composition of a sexual assault evidence collection kit. Adequate capacity building through manpower training and skill development programs has been undertaken for Investigation Officers, Prosecution Officers, and Medical Officers. The Bureau of Police Research & Development has distributed 14,950 Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kits to States/ UTs as part of training and orientation," he further mentioned.
"MHA has also approved two projects for establishing and strengthening Women Help Desks in Police Stations and Anti-Human Trafficking Units in all districts of the country. The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued advisories from time to time to assist States/UTs in dealing with crimes against women, available at www.mha.gov.in. Additionally, the Ministry of Women & Child Development has set up 733 One Stop Centres across the country, providing integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence and distress, under one roof. These centers offer a range of services, including medical aid, legal aid, temporary shelter, police assistance, and psycho-social counseling," said the MoS.
In light of these developments, officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to KNO, emphasized that the excessive influence of social media leading to elopement with strangers is the main cause for the rise in missing cases among the female population, with a few cases related to kidnapping and other issues.
They noted that in most instances, these missing women are eventually located after cases are registered, and eloping with strangers they met on various social media platforms is the primary reason.
"Women with weak family bonds are more vulnerable, and it's essential to reconsider the usage of social media," the officials concluded.
