Delhi saw rise in missing children cases in 2014

Delhi witnessed a 12.11 per cent jump in cases of missing children in 2014 over the year before, according to data released by police.
According to data shared by Delhi Police, in 2014 (up to December 15), 6,227 such cases were registered as against 5,554 of these in the corresponding period in 2013, a jump attributed by Commissioner BS Bassi to a rise in the registration of FIR in such instances.
"Tracing missing children remains a priority for Delhi Police. In each case of missing child, FIRs were registered immediately," he said.
"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 today.

He also mentioned 'Operation Milaap', which was started in December, 2014, by Crime Branch to reunite missing children with their families.
"Crime Branch of Delhi Police has been working on the initiative. They would screen 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 children living at railway stations, bus stands, and near religious places so that matches could be carried out with the data of missing children in order to ensure their return 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 that 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 are involved in it.
"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.
The top cop said that Delhi Police's 'Pehchan' campaign, which was launched in 2011, will continue in 2015. As part of it, around 31,000 children from poor families have been photographed so that the child could be traced if reported missing.