Rising Concern: 7,550 Women Missing in Karnataka in Six Months

Bengaluru: Karnataka has witnessed a troubling surge in missing women cases, with 7,550 reported disappearances over the past six months, according to recent home department data. Although police have managed to trace 5,855 women, 1,695 remain unaccounted for, marking the highest number of missing cases in the past three years.

Bengaluru leads the state with 429 missing women, followed by Mysuru (109), Belgaum (87), Shimoga (84), and Tumkur (75). Other districts with notable figures include Vijayapura (59), Ramanagara (51), Chitradurga (48), Kolar (47), and Davangere (42).

In the past three and a half years, Karnataka has recorded 42,237 missing women cases, with 39,389 resolved and 2,848 still unresolved. Factors contributing to these disappearances range from love affairs, family disputes, financial issues, and social media influences, to more severe concerns like kidnapping and trafficking.

The problem of human trafficking is particularly alarming. Authorities are ramping up efforts to tackle these crimes and working closely with self-help and women’s organizations to raise awareness about safety. Police departments are focusing on tracing missing individuals and combating kidnapping and smuggling.

State Home Minister G. Parameshwara stated that dedicated teams at each police station are intensifying efforts to locate the missing and prevent future cases. The Home Department urges the public to stay alert and report suspicious activities to aid in the recovery of missing women and curb this growing issue.