Kerala Government launched Operation Valsalya to track missing children

The Kerala government on 9 October 2015 launched the Operation Valsalya project to trace, rescue and reunite the missing children with their family. This ambitious programme is envisaged to be implemented on the lines of the much acclaimed Operation Smile project in Ghaziabad.

According to police statistics of Kerala, as many as 69 children have been kidnapped or abducted across the state till June this year. While 116 children were kidnapped in the state in 2014, the number was 136 in 2013 and 147 in 2012.

Highlights of the Operation Valsalya

• The operation was initiated by Kerala's Social Justice Department on a small scale. However, it will be extended across the state after evaluating its success
• Cooperation and support of police, childline volunteers and non-governmental organizations have been sought in this regard.
• It is expected to provide relief to parents who live in the painful memories of their missing children.
• Under the programme, officials with expert training in Juvenile Justice Act, Protection of Child Rights Act and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, will carry out searches in locations like bus stands, railway stations, pilgrim centers and so on.
• Searches would also be carried out in children homes and orphanages by vigilant squads.
• Identity of wandering children and inmates of orphanages will also be recorded.
• Awareness programmes and poster and sticker campaigns will also be carried out to propagate the cause.
• The picture and other whereabouts of children, rescued from various parts of the state under the mission, will be uploaded on the website www.trackthemissingchild.nic.in.

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