Gandhinagar: The latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report has raised serious concerns over the rising number of kidnappings in Gujarat, particularly involving women and minor girls. According to the data, 734 abducted persons, including both men and women, remain untraced as of 2023.
The state logged an average of 140 kidnapping cases every month during the year. Children aged between 12 and 16 years emerged as the most vulnerable group, with 771 cases reported. The report points out that within this age bracket, girls were abducted at a higher rate than boys.
The NCRB analysis shows that love affairs, forced marriages, and human trafficking were among the leading factors behind abductions, while illegal confinement, family disputes, property-related issues, and personal rivalries also contributed significantly.
Ahmedabad district recorded the highest number of kidnapping cases. In 2023, the city registered 296 incidents, up from 183 cases in 2021. Of these, 94 boys and 165 girls were abducted last year alone.
Despite police actions, the recovery rate was pegged at 70.8%. Out of the 2,511 total reported cases in 2023, victims were rescued in 1,777 incidents. However, 597 women and 137 men continue to be missing, painting a troubling picture of law enforcement’s ability to control the growing crisis.
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