Karnataka Child Rights Commission Demands Action on Unsolved Missing Children Cases
The Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has raised serious concerns about child safety in the state. Over one thousand cases of missing children remain unresolved from the past three years. These cases are technically classified as kidnappings under the law.
Commission Calls for Government Guidelines and Coordination
KT Thippeswamy, a member of the commission, wrote a formal letter to the chief secretary last week. He demanded immediate government action to address this growing problem. Thippeswamy emphasized the need for detailed guidelines specifically designed to handle missing children incidents.
"Such a huge pendency is a serious issue," Thippeswamy stated clearly. He pointed out that incidents of children facing harassment are also increasing across Karnataka. The commission member stressed that prevention requires coordinated efforts from all departments connected to child rights.
Specific Recommendations for Child Protection
Thippeswamy presented several concrete proposals to strengthen child protection mechanisms:
- Conduct a detailed study of all missing children cases to understand patterns and root causes
- Create a dedicated child protection officer position at the taluk level
- Strengthen existing district child protection units with more resources and personnel
- Improve coordination between multiple government departments including rural development, panchayat raj, revenue, women and child development, school education, urban development, and police
The commission member revealed alarming statistics. Since 2023 alone, 9,597 children have been reported missing or kidnapped in Karnataka. Authorities continue efforts to trace 1,094 of these children who remain unaccounted for.
Grassroots Monitoring and School Engagement
Thippeswamy suggested practical measures at the village level. He recommended that each gram panchayat maintain an accurate count of children within their jurisdiction. These local bodies should monitor children regularly and spread awareness during special gram sabha meetings.
Police officers designated for child welfare at every police station must focus exclusively on child-related issues according to the commission. These officers should visit schools and colleges regularly to build trust and gather information.
Child Rights Activist Emphasizes Parental Awareness
Nagasimha G Rao, a prominent child rights activist, supported the commission's recommendations. He urged the government to launch awareness programs specifically targeting parents. Rao explained that parents play a crucial role in preventing such cases.
"Parents should not scold or make their children unhappy in the morning," Rao advised. He noted that disappointed or unhappy children face greater risk from miscreants who might try to lure them away.
The activist offered practical tips for parents:
- Maintain details of at least five friends of their children
- This information becomes crucial for police investigations if a child goes missing
- Immediately inform police if parents themselves locate a missing child or if the child returns home
- This notification helps police close cases properly and update their records
The commission's urgent appeal highlights growing concerns about child safety in Karnataka. With over a thousand families still searching for their missing children, coordinated action from government departments and community participation appears essential. The proposed measures aim to create a more robust child protection system across urban and rural areas of the state.
