Kolhapur: 256 ‘missing’ kids get reason to smile again

KOLHAPUR: As many as 256 children who had gone missing from their homes, were rescued by the Kolhapur police as part of a drive called ‘Operation Muskan’, which began on December 1, and reunited with their parents.
The operation to search for missing children was launched following the orders from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Senior police officers, officials from the woman and child welfare department, district child protection unit and various NGOs participated in the monthlong drive.
“We had formed teams comprising constables and a police officer at all the 31 police stations across the district. The teams moved around in the respective jurisdiction of their police stations, noted down the details of the children roaming about on the streets, bus stations, railway stations and other public places, photographed them and uploaded their details on a web portal specially dedicated to trace missing children,” said asenior police officer.
“The teams also rescued children who had been forced into begging and bonded labour. Missing children lodging in childcare homes were identified and reunited with their parents. We tracked around 256 missing children. They were handed over to their parents after confirming that those who claimed to be their parents were actually their real guardians,” said the officer.
“We held counselling sessions for the parents whose children were found on the streets. They were asked to take care of their children and ensure they dont go missing again,” he said.
“During the drive, 14 girls who were registered missing on police records, were rescued by the anti-human trafficking department and handed over to their parents,” he said. “We succeeded in tracing the parents of 62 boys and and 39 girls who were found at bus stands, railway stations, temples, or were forced into begging and bonded labour. Parents of these children have assured us that they will take care of their child’s education,” said the officer.