At least 26 girls have gone missing from an illegally-run shelter home in Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh. The girls had previously been rescued from various states including Gujarat, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh itself. The matter came to light after a surprise visit by the chairman of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), Priyank Kanungo, to the Aanchal Girls hostel situated in the Parwalia area on the outskirts of Bhopal.
During his inspection, Kanungo discovered that although there were records of 68 girls in the shelter home, 26 of them were nowhere to be found. When questioned about the missing girls, the director of the shelter home, Anil Mathew, failed to provide satisfactory answers. As a result, an FIR has been filed by the police in relation to the case. It was also revealed that the shelter home was being run without a license by a missionary who had rescued children from the streets. Kanungo further alleged that the rescued girls were kept hidden in the home and forced to practice Christianity.
Most of the missing girls, between the ages of 6 and 18, are Hindus. Kanungo expressed frustration over the difficulty faced in getting the police to register an FIR. He also criticized the Women and Child Development Department of Madhya Pradesh for contracting child helpline services from NGOs which may engage in such practices.
Former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has called on the Madhya Pradesh government to take strong action against those responsible for the incident.
The news of the missing girls from the shelter home has raised concerns about the safety and well-being of vulnerable children in the state. The incident highlights the need for stricter regulations and oversight to prevent the operation of illegal shelter homes and ensure the protection of children who have been rescued from unfortunate circumstances.
Authorities must conduct a thorough investigation to locate the missing girls and hold accountable those involved in their disappearance. It is crucial to prioritize the safety and welfare of children, ensuring that they are not subjected to further harm or exploitation. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of robust child protection measures and the need for continuous monitoring to safeguard the rights of vulnerable children across the country.
