Shocking! Over 21,000 women went missing between 2014-17 in Karnataka

The ongoing assembly session was rocked by numerals showing missing women in the city. It was stated that in 2014 alone, as many as 5,989 women were reported missing across Karnataka. The number, in fact, climbed to 6,316 in 2016. In all, close to 21,053 women have been reported to be missing between 2014 and May 31, 2017. Out of them, 17,777 women have been traced so far.

Senior police officers, however, claim that many of these women may have left home willingly. Some of them may have been kidnapped and some may have been trapped in cases of human trafficking. The figures were cited by home minister (in-charge) G Parameshwara in the legislative assembly. The kidnappings were mostly reported due to family rivalry, property disputes and revenge. 

Police sources further added, "What is really worrying is the number of women who unknowingly become the targets of miscreants. Women from a poor financial background are easy prey as culprits lure them with job offers."

During the assembly discussion, it was also said that the government has established 9 anti-human trafficking units across the state. Parameshwara further said, "They have been set up in Bengaluru, Hubballi-Dharwad, Mysuru, Belagavi, Mangaluru, Dakshina Kannada, Raichur, Kalaburagi, Davanagere and Vijayapura. Officials working in these units have been trained to collaborate with local police stations."

Inside sources, however, paint a different picture. They say that the units have no co-ordination among each other. Moreover, they are technically challenged. So, whenever a missing girl's pictire is wired, they are not able to respond quickly. 

• karnataka
• south