Masroor Qayoom
Srinagar, Jul 28 (BB): Startling figures reveal that nearly 10,000 women have been reported missing in Jammu and Kashmir between 2019 and 2021, with officials attributing the spike to excessive use of social media, particularly cases of elopement with strangers.During a session in Rajya Sabha, the Minister of State for Home, Ajay Mishra, disclosed that a total of 9,765 women vanished from their homes in the region during the three-year period, encompassing 1,148 cases involving girls below the age of 18 and 8,617 cases involving women aged 18 and above.The annual breakdown indicates 355 girls and 2,738 women went missing in 2019, followed by 350 girls and 2,701 women in 2020, and 443 girls and 3,178 women in 2021.Comparatively, data from 2016 to 2018 showed approximately 3,300 missing women in J&K, revealing a tripling of cases in the subsequent three years.Authorities speculate that the escalating influence of social media is a significant contributing factor, as many women reported missing are found to have eloped with strangers they met through various social media apps.In response to this alarming trend, the Government of India has implemented various initiatives to ensure women’s safety across the country. The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013, and the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018, have strengthened penal provisions, including the death penalty for rape of girls below 12 years. Additionally, a cyber-crime reporting portal and the “National Database on Sexual Offenders” (NDSO) aid in tracking and investigating sexual offenders.The Ministry of Home Affairs has introduced several measures, including an Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) with a single, internationally recognized emergency number (112) and an online analytic tool to monitor time-bound investigations in sexual assault cases. Furthermore, forensic analysis units have been bolstered, and guidelines for collecting evidence in sexual assault cases have been established.To enhance support for women in distress, the Ministry of Home Affairs has approved projects to set up and strengthen Women Help Desks in Police Stations and Anti-Human Trafficking Units nationwide. The Ministry of Women & Child Development has also established 733 One Stop Centres to provide comprehensive support and assistance to women affected by violence.While officials recognize the role of social media in the rise of missing cases, they also stress the importance of reinforcing family bonds to protect vulnerable individuals from falling victim to such incidents. Addressing the issue calls for collective efforts and responsible use of social media platforms.
