Thursday, 12 October 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Expressing deep concern over the spike in the incidents of women/girls disappearing from homes across the State, the chairperson of Uttarakhand State Commission for Women (USCW) Kusum Kandwal directed the police to be more vigilant and take strict action against those found responsible for such cases.
Taking note of a 17-year-old girl who had been missing for the past two months being found by police recently from another State, she said that she was a minor from Shivajinagar, Rishikesh. “Her family members had filed a report at the police station, but as she had no mobile phone, it proved quite challenging to gather information about her whereabouts. Later, the family members met me and urged me to do something. I thought I must intervene and do my bit in tracing the missing minor. I contacted an organisation engaged in combating human trafficking incidents. Accompanied by its members, I visited the Rishikesh police station and instructed them to locate the girl as soon as possible. Finally, after two months, the girl’s location was determined and she was rescued from Meerut on Monday,” she added.
USCW chairperson further said that she had been informed by Rishikesh police over phone that the girl in question had got married to someone after disappearing from her home. “I have asked the police to step up vigilance and act strictly to stop such underage marriages. This trend which is becoming prevalent across the State bodes ill for the girls as well as the society as a whole,” she said.
Furthermore, she urged the parents to interact with their children as friends while closely monitoring where they are going and whom they are befriending. “This is parental responsibility which no parent can and should shirk. A little understanding coupled with vigilance may curb the trend of minor girls eloping from homes and marrying, which might culminate in human trafficking and flesh trade,” she added.
