Modi govt admits hundreds of minor girls missing in IIOJK
New Delhi: The Modi-led Indian government has admitted in the Lok Sabha that hundreds of minor girls have gone missing in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir over the past several years, raising serious concerns about safety and accountability in the territory.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the disclosure made by the Indian Minister of State for Home Affairs, citing data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), reveals that in 2023 alone, 509 girls under the age of 18 were reported missing in the territory, of whom only 209 have been traced while 300 remain unaccounted for.
The data further shows a disturbing and consistent trend, with 502 cases reported in 2022, 443 in 2021, 350 in 2020, and 355 in 2019, highlighting the persistent vulnerability of young girls in the occupied territory.
Despite claims by the Indian government of implementing various mechanisms such as TrackChild, Khoya-Paya platforms, and linking them with the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System (CCTNS), a significant number of cases remain unresolved, exposing serious gaps in the system.
Locals say the alarming figures reflect not only administrative failure but also the prevailing atmosphere of insecurity and fear in IIOJK, where families continue to struggle for justice and answers regarding their missing children.
They point out that the continued disappearances, coupled with ineffective tracing mechanisms, contradict India’s narrative of “normalcy” and raise urgent questions about the safety of civilians, particularly minors, in the heavily militarized region.
Kashmiri people have called for independent investigations and greater international scrutiny, warning that the issue of missing children in the territory could be linked to broader concerns including trafficking and exploitation.
The revelation has once again brought into focus the deteriorating human rights situation in IIOJK, with observers urging immediate and transparent action to trace the missing girls and ensure accountability.
