Police grapple with unresolved cases

Navi Mumbai Police Commissionerate has encountered a significant challenge in tracing 1482 individuals who have gone missing within its jurisdiction over the past five years, as disclosed by statistics. Among the 9565 individuals reported missing from 2019 to November 2023, efforts to locate these 1482 people remain ongoing.

The data reveals that out of the total missing individuals, 4443 were women, followed by 3577 men, 1137 girls, and 408 boys. Encouragingly, a substantial number have been found, with 3739 women, 2877 men, 1083 girls, and 387 boys reunited with their families.

However, the unresolved cases of the 1482 missing individuals - including 704 women, 700 men, 56 girls, and 22 boys - pose a formidable task for the Navi Mumbai Police Force.

Investigations have revealed varying reasons for disappearances, notably involving young women leaving their homes due to relationships, with some encountering disappointment or betrayal, leading to permanent separation from their families. Similarly, marital discord and family disputes have prompted numerous married women to leave, though many later return home after realizing their mistake.

Additionally, youths leaving home due to fear of family reactions or academic pressure, as well as the allure of the city or meeting celebrities, have contributed to the rising numbers of missing individuals. Some of these youngsters end up lost, wandering around railway stations and the city.

Organizations like Child Line, dedicated to aiding distressed children, frequently encounter such lost children at transit points, providing counsel and arranging their safe return home. Special police campaigns aimed at locating missing individuals have yielded success in reuniting several lost youths with their families.

However, challenges persist, particularly concerning minors who elope and change identities, making it difficult for authorities to track them, especially when they move abroad.

Navi Mumbai Police officials highlight a higher number of runaway cases among 15 to 17-year-olds due to family disputes or personal reasons, with efforts consistently underway to locate and reconcile them with their families.

The statistics detailing the missing and found individuals between 2019 and November 2023 within Navi Mumbai Police Commissionerate limits illustrate the scope of the issue, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to reunite these missing individuals with their families: