Panaji: More than 95% of missing children in Goa have left their homes, often with their boyfriends, while a few have fled due to domestic violence, said the victim assistance unit.Over the past nine years, 183 children were reported missing in the state, with almost all traced. No cases of children being kidnapped for ransom or revenge have been reported.“More than 95% of the kidnapping cases registered in Goa that come to the victim assistance unit involve children who have left home, often with their boyfriends,” VAU coordinator Emidio Pinho said.Between 2016 and 2024, 183 children were reported missing, while 186 were traced, including children whose cases were pending from earlier years.“The cumulative pending figure accordingly reduced from 31 at the beginning of 2016 to 28 at the end of 2024. The data therefore reflects nearly 100% tracing by Goa police,” deputy superintendent of police (DySP) and PRO Nilesh Rane said.“We have not come across cases referred to us where children were taken away for ransom or revenge. The remaining cases generally involve children who leave home because of domestic violence, family conflict, restrictions on mobile phones, anger, bullying in school, academic pressure or fear of examinations,” Pinho said.However, officials said some cases take a more serious turn after a child is traced, with investigations revealing sexual abuse, exploitation or other offences. Cases that initially appear to involve children voluntarily leaving home can sometimes reveal circumstances requiring protection under child-protection laws.“Therefore, every missing child must be treated first and foremost as a child in need of protection,” Pinho said.Pinho also called for a state-funded Missing Children Recovery and Reunification Fund to meet immediate expenses involved in tracing and bringing missing children back to Goa. In some cases, police personnel make arrangements or even spend from their own pockets to facilitate a child’s safe return.Rane said Goa police remained committed to tracing every missing child, including those whose cases have been pending for years, and would continue efforts to reunite them with their families.“We work closely with the Goa police, and their efforts in tracing and safely reuniting children with their families are commendable. However, there is a major gap after recovery. Families are often compelled to bear substantial travel expenses to bring their children back. This should be a state responsibility, not a financial burden on already distressed families,” Pinho said.
