HAVERI: Forty girls aged 18-25 have been reported missing in Haveri in April-May 2021, during the second wave of the pandemic, accounting for nearly 20% of the cases reported annually in the past two years.
Police say a majority of the cases prima facie appear to be of elopement, but domestic violence and other crimes could be behind the disappearance of others and investigations have been delayed due to pressures of Covid-19 duty on the force.
Eight men have also been reported missing in these two months.
So far, 10 of the girls have been traced.
Between April 2020 and March 2021, 208 missing cases were filed while 199 cases were filed in the year before that.
“Despite strict rules and a lockdown declared by the state government, as many as 48 missing cases have been reported in April and May,” Haveri SP KG Devaraj said.
“More than 80% of the cases are of elopement, while some are related to domestic violence of femicide.” Devaraj said cases of abduction and under Pocso have been registered.
Police to start probe after lockdownIn the past, we have traced 95% of missing persons.
Since most of our personnel are involved in lockdown duty, investigations have been hit.
We have traced eight of the missing men and two women so far.” Police sources said many young couples have taken advantage of the lockdown to run away from home as parents and guardians cannot pursue them and law enforcement agencies are hamstrung due to the pandemic.
The numbers might be higher as many families don’t report disappearances for fear of societal shame, they said.
“Police will start a probe after the lockdown in the district is lifted and those missing will be traced soon,” Devaraj said.
Parimala Jain, president of the Institute for Development, Agriculture and Rural Youth, who has counselled women who returned home, said many eloped with their boyfriend or lover to escape difficult conditions in villages.
“About 90% of the girls were from rural areas and most had completed graduation.
Poverty, caste and religion are the main reasons for girls going missing.
The lockdown has provided them with an easy opportunity to leave home but they are not thinking about the future,” she said.