60 children mostly boys gone missing in Kerala in last five years yet to be found

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Although incidents of kidnapping children are rare in Kerala, the figures of the national crime records bureau are alarming. 60 children who have gone missing in Kerala in the last five years are yet to be found.

It is a relief for the Malayalees that Abigail Sara abducted by an unknown gang from Pooyapally in Kollam Monday evening, was found after more than 21 hours. However, the numbers that are coming out have asked to be vigilant about our children.

As of September 2023, 115 cases of child abduction have been registered. 269 cases in 2022 and 257 cases in 2021 are under child abduction category.

People below 18 years of age are included in this category. Kidnapping cases are also included in cases of going along under the temptation of others. In 98 percent of cases, it is a relief that children are found.

Of the 60 cases of abduction registered in the state, 48 are boys and 12 are girls. Cases of child abduction by beggar mafia, nomad gangs, human trafficking gangs etc have not been reported in Kerala.

A report released in July this year by a Delhi-based NGO stated that the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh are leading in child abduction cases.

Between 2016 and 2022, child abduction cases have increased by 68 percent. The report also stated that there has been a double increase in the number of cases compared to the pre-Covid period.

The report was prepared by Games 24*7 and Kailash Satyarthi Children's Foundation. 13,549 children below 18 years of age were rescued during this period. 80 percent of the rescued children are between the ages of 13 and 18. 13 percent are between the ages of 9 and 12.

More than two percent are under the age of nine. There has been a 68 percent increase in child abduction cases between 2016 and 2022, according to a Delhi-based NGO.
The report of the Delhi-based NGO mentioned that there is child labour in the country. 15.6 percent children work in hotels. 13 percent of children work in the automobile transport industries and 11.8 percent in the garment sector.