Chandigarh: As many as 1,108 cases of children going missing were registered in Chandigarh between 2020 and August 31 this year, according to official data obtained by The Tribune group. Of these, 1,079 children — more than 97% — have been traced, while 29 cases remain unresolved.
The figures for this year show 102 missing-child cases were reported between January 1 and August 31. Police have traced 90 of the children, while 12 cases are still pending. This amounts to roughly one child being reported missing every two-and-a-half days during the eight-month period.
Police data also point to concerns over the exploitation of children through begging and forced labour. As of August 31 this year, a total of 27 children had been rescued — 18 from begging gangs and nine from child labour.
Officials said the high rate of tracing children over the six-year period reflects continued police efforts, even as the number of reported cases has remained a concern.
