MUMBAI, Feb 24 : The Maharashtra government on Tuesday informed the Legislative Assembly that more than 93,000 women were reported missing across the state over the past two years, with nearly 67,500 of them successfully traced so far.
Responding to a starred question by legislators, the Home Department led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis presented detailed statistics for 2024 and 2025.
According to the data, 45,662 women were reported missing in 2024, of whom 30,877 have been located. In 2025, the number of missing women rose to 48,278, with 36,581 traced to date.
The figures also highlighted concerns regarding minors. In 2024, 11,313 minor girls were reported missing, while the number stood at 12,113 in 2025. Authorities have traced 8,475 girls from the 2024 cases and 10,295 from 2025.
Between 2024 and 2025, a total of 4,989 adolescents aged 15 to 18 years went missing from major urban centres such as Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Raigad, Nagpur and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Of these, 4,813 – approximately 96 percent – have been found.
The government informed the House that it has conducted 13 phases of “Operation Muskaan” between July 2015 and December 2024, during which 41,193 minors were rescued or reunited with their families.
The 14th phase is currently in progress, and as of February 16, authorities have traced 1,401 minors, including 454 boys and 947 girls.
Separate data for 2024-25 showed that 4,514 minors (1,435 boys and 3,080 girls) were reported missing, of whom 4,455 (1,409 boys and 3,046 girls) have been traced.
The Chief Minister also stated that “Operation Muskan” is being implemented from January 20 to February 20, 2026, with a focus on reuniting missing and vulnerable women and children with their families.
During 2024 and 2025, police traced 96 girls in the 15-18 age bracket. The government has additionally ordered safety audits of schools to strengthen child protection measures.
To tackle trafficking and crimes against children, Anti-Human Trafficking Cells have been established across police divisions, excluding railway units. Awareness initiatives such as the Police Kaka and Police Didi programmes are also being carried out to prevent harassment and enhance child safety across the state. (UNI)
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