Karnataka govt leaves missing kids to mercy of the streets

Comparison may be odious, but could also prove instructive. In neighbouring Kerala, nearly 700 children are reported missing each year.

The Kerala government sanctioned Rs9,97,600 for each of its 14 districts to set up a Missing Child Bureau three months after a proposal was placed before the government.

Every year, about 6,500 children are reported missing from Karnataka. A grant of Rs6,41,000 was sought, so that Missing Child Bureaus could be set up in each of the state’s 30 districts.

The proposal was made at the time that the Juvenile Justice Act, 2007 was being implemented. Bosco was meant to be the nodal agency in managing the Missing Child Bureaus.

Four years later, Binu Varghese, coordinator of the Missing Child Bureau, Karnataka, says, “Not a single paisa has been sanctioned by the government.”

The delay is especially glaring as one considers that everyday at least 25 cases of missing children are registered in Bangalore alone.

“On some days, this figure is closer to 45,” says Varghese.
The Missing Child Bureau is, however, staffed by an extremely resourceful set of people.

“With help from sponsors and donors, we have managed to set up MCBs in 14 districts. We have run out of money, and our resources are stretched to the maximum. In the remaining 16 districts, there are requests for a Missing Child Bureau. We cannot do much,” says Varghese, adding that Bosco staff has taken a salary cut to contribute to expenses.

“How long can we wait? There is no opposition to the setting up of the Missing Child Bureau, and the politicians say that they have recommended that the money be sanctioned to the department of women and child welfare. Despite this, there has been little progress,” says an exasperated Varghese.

Girls stay missing longer
 The earlier a case of the missing child is registered, the brighter the chances of finding the child. Curiously, however, when a girl child goes missing, parents are likely to resort more to prayers than to the police.
Binu Varghese, state coordinator of Missing Child Bureau, says, “Often, even policemen will counsel parents to wait for about three days before filing a complaint, as they expect the child to return in that time.”
Varghese says parents should not wait more than four hours. “Complaints can be registered at the district  Missing Child Bureau, the nearest police station or even the area anganwadi. Searches undertaken by the Missing Child Bureau are done confidentially,” Varghese says.