The issue of missing women in Kerala has resurfaced with alarming statistics and poignant narratives that underscore systemic challenges and societal vulnerabilities. According to recent revelations by Kerala Kaumudi, a prominent Malayalam media outlet, a staggering 35,336 women were reported missing under mysterious circumstances between 2017 and 2021. Shockingly, despite efforts, 170 of these women remain untraced, their cases often closed under the assumption of voluntary departure or elopement. The statistics paint a grim picture, highlighting gaps in monitoring and protection for vulnerable individuals.
Notably absent from media attention are cases involving missing women who are migrant laborers, a demographic that often faces heightened risks but receives scant visibility in official reports and public discourse.
The gravity of the issue has been further underscored by recent developments, including the prolonged disappearance of a woman from Mannar in Alappuzha district for over 15 years. Disturbing allegations have surfaced suggesting she was murdered and her remains disposed of in a septic tank, raising serious questions about the thoroughness and effectiveness of law enforcement investigations.
Investigations into missing women cases are primarily handled by district C branches of the police under the oversight of Inspector Generals (IGs). However, criticisms have emerged regarding the investigative process, often accused of prematurely accepting statements from husbands and relatives attributing the disappearances to voluntary departure. The case of Remya from Edavanakkad near Kochi serves as a poignant example, where initial reports of her running away were later proven false after she was discovered to have been strangled and buried within her own home.
Specific regional hotspots of concern include Kollam (24 cases), Pathanamthitta (12 cases), and Kasaragod (6 cases), where 42 women remain missing despite ongoing efforts to locate them. Many of these cases are linked to issues such as love affairs and elopements, adding complexity to investigative efforts.
Compounding these challenges are the prevalence of kidnapping cases, totaling 1,550 since 2016, with 38 reported this year up until April. Authorities are now expanding their inquiries to include possible connections to organized crime networks involved in activities like begging mafias and organ trafficking.
Assumptions and statistics at a glance :
Where do they go ?
· Eloping with the mail fiends.
· Killing by husband or relatives.
· Job in far away places.
· Recruitment to terror groups.
· In the grip of human traffickers.
· In the custody of begging mafia and organ mafia.
35,336 missing in 5 years (Central Government statistics)
2017: 6,076
2018: 7,839
2019: 8,843
2020: 6,395
2021: 6,183
Statistics of Kidnapping
2016: 166
2017: 184
2018: 173
2019: 227
2020: 151
2021: 179
2022: 241
2023: 191
2024: 38 (Up to April)
In response to mounting public outcry and scrutiny, the State Police Chief has issued a directive emphasizing accountability and prompt action in handling complaints related to missing women and children. The circular sternly warns against jurisdictional excuses that may hinder the pursuit of justice, underscoring a commitment to strengthening law enforcement protocols and improving overall safety measures.
The revelations from these statistics have deeply unsettled both the public and policymakers alike, reflecting broader societal challenges and posing significant implications for the state’s law and order framework. The need for comprehensive reforms to enhance protective measures and streamline investigative processes is now more urgent than ever.
