Guwahati, In a concerning revelation, more than 3,700 children have been reported missing in the northeastern Indian state of Assam over the past three years, highlighting significant challenges in child safety and welfare within the region.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the details were disclosed by Assam’s Women and Child Development Minister Ajanta Neog in response to a query from Congress MLA Bhaskar Jyoti Baruah during a session in the state Assembly. Neog’s statement provided a stark figure of 3,779 children reported missing between 2021 and 2023, underscoring the magnitude of the issue facing the state.

Efforts to address the situation have seen several of the missing children being rescued and subsequently reunited with their families. For those who could not be returned to their homes, the government has taken steps to ensure their care and protection.

Neog further highlighted the pervasive issue of child trafficking across the state, noting that such cases have been reported from nearly all districts. The districts of Kamrup, Udalguri, Sonitpur, Kokrajhar, Lakhimpur, and Biswanath were identified as having the highest incidence of these crimes, pointing to a widespread problem that requires comprehensive strategies to combat.

The revelation of the high number of missing children and the associated challenge of child trafficking in Assam bring to light critical concerns regarding child safety and the need for effective measures to protect vulnerable populations in the state.