There is a need to have trained personnel to track missing children, said Sugata Roy, communications specialist, UNICEF office for Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
He was speaking at an event organised by British Council to mark International Missing Children’s Day, which falls on May 25. He said around 100 children go missing from Tamil Nadu every month, and added that the number was less when compared to other States.
“Children across the country go missing due to reasons including parental pressure and corporal punishment. Some are trafficked for organ trade, medical testing and other crimes,” he added.
He said appointing a nodal officer in every district was essential. He said people from poor backgrounds often do not register the birth of their children and this becomes a problem if they migrate to cities and their children go missing.
Paul Sellers, director, British Council South India outlined the council’s child protection policy.
