Missing children cases in Delhi increased in 2014

New Delhi, Jan 2 (IANS) There has been a 12.11 percent increase in the number of missing children in the national capital in 2014, according to Delhi Police data.

A total of 6,227 cases were registered till Dec 15, 2014, compared to 5,554 cases in the corresponding period of 2013.

Explaining the reason behind rise in the number of missing children, Delhi Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi said: "Tracing missing children remains important priority for Delhi Police. In each case of missing child, FIRs (First Information Reports) were registered immediately."

"It was reiterated to upload the details of all missing children on ZIPNET (Zonal Integrated Police Network) without any delay, and to take systematic action to trace the child," Bassi said at Delhi Police's annual press conference Friday.

He also informed media persons about "Operation Milaap" which was started in December 2014 to reunite the missing children with their families.

"The Crime Branch of Delhi Police has been working on the initiative. They would screen the children residing in shelter homes in order to link a missing child report registered in Delhi," he said.

Similarly, he said, a drive has been launched to screen the children living at railway stations, bus stands, and near religious places so that they could be linked with the data of missing children and later they could be handed over to their families.

"It is also being checked whether the details of missing children are being uploaded on www.trackthemissingchild.gov.in," he added.

Bassi said the Crime Branch has been analysing the pattern of missing children, particularly for the areas infested by this problem, and trying to find out whether organised gangs have any hand in this.

"The focus area in this regard is children from three to 10 years of age who generally do not run away from home on their own," he said.

A police data said Delhi Police's 'Pehchan' campaign, which was launched in 2011, will continue in 2015.

Under 'Pehchan' campaign, around 31,000 children of poor families have been photographed so that the child could be traced if reported missing.