Confirming the existence of a large-scale human trafficking network, state police have found that at least an average of 22 girls have per day have gone missing in the Indian state of Andra Pradesh, only this year, while the total number of women and girls that have gone missing in the the last four years stands at a staggering 23,760 out of the 47,181 people who have gone missing since 2009.

Out of the number of children who were kidnapped, 66% (10,938) are girls. As the number of missing girls seems to be only increasing as, till July 2012, another 2,786 children have gone missing with over 70% of them (1,955) girls. That means that about 10 girls go missing each day. Similarly, 2,519 women were missing till July this year, which means every day 12 women go missing.

The alarming fact is the number of women and girls that remain missing in government records in the past four years. Since 2009, a total of 23,760 girls and women have gone missing in the state and they are yet to be traced. This hints at the possibility of these victims being caught in the clutches of human traffickers.

To help the family-members track down these missing persons, police have launched a website displaying their case details. Explaining the usefulness of the web portal, additional DG VSK Kaumudi said that one can search for the missing or found person’s details on the said website and approach the concerned police station or other government agency for further assistance.  “If someone finds a missing boy or girl, they can upload the photograph on the website with the person’s details after cross-checking the same on the missing persons list. We hope that this facility will help some missing persons to reunite with their families,” the ADG said. PTI