Missing kids: Panel seeks report from police chief

The Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) has asked police commissioner YS Dadwal to provide a detailed report on children missing from the Capital.

Over 2,503 have been reported missing in the Capital since January 1, 2008.

This week, a case of 21 missing children came to light in East Delhi's New Sanjay Amar Colony. The police claimed six of them had eloped.

Addressing a press conference, commission chairman Amod K. Kanth criticised Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Anand Mohan for suggesting that some of the children had ‘eloped’.

“Whether the children, all aged under 15, eloped or not is under investigation. How can the DCP say it conclusively? The police must investigate each case properly and then come to a conclusion,” he said.

According to police records, only 363 children were traced in the past year. Kanth said several voluntary organisations had alleged that these missing children could be forced into begging, child labour and other illegal activities.

Kanth also questioned the need to set up a new child help line, saying that such a number already existed.