The increasing number of missing children has evoked deep concern in Kerala. In the last week alone, 11 children have gone missing, according to state crime records bureau. And in the last 12 months, 746 children have been reported missing.
Deccan Chronicle reports that recently the Railway Protection Force (RPF) had rescued a 15 year-old runaway kid, who is one among many.
The report says that though the government has special squads to trace the missing children, the result gives no comfort. Most of these missing children were reported as being inmates of different child welfare homes in the state. A Childline coordinator Sergio Fabian told DC that the Child Welfare Committee had given strict orders to the shelter homes to be vigilant.
The report says the Supreme Court had on April 17 slapped a fine of Rs 50,000 on the ministry for not filing a proper affidavit with their status regarding the issue. Though the state had launched a project called Operation Smile for the welfare of children, the government has not been able to reduce such cases.
“Operation Smile is not active. It lacks accuracy,” Subair, the children protection officer in Kollam, told DC.
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