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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Raj Thackeray tormented over ‘missing kids’ in state

Mumbai : Expressing grave concerns over the steep rise in cases of ‘missing children’ in the state, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray has accused the state government of treating the matter casually and failing to respond to it urgently.   In an open missive on 'X' to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Raj Thackeray quoted data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) pointing at almost an alarming 30 pc increase in the number of children ‘missing’ in the state...

Raj Thackeray tormented over ‘missing kids’ in state

Mumbai : Expressing grave concerns over the steep rise in cases of ‘missing children’ in the state, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray has accused the state government of treating the matter casually and failing to respond to it urgently.   In an open missive on 'X' to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Raj Thackeray quoted data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) pointing at almost an alarming 30 pc increase in the number of children ‘missing’ in the state between 2021-2024.   When asked for his reactions, Fadnavis told media-persons in Nagpur that he had not read the letter, but the issue raised is important and he would reply to it. Fadnavis stated that the NCRB has also provided the reasons why the kids go ‘missing’, how they return and the period, ranging from 3 days to 18 months.   Dwelling on the sufficiency of the NCRB figures, he contended that they reflect only complaints formally registered by the police and thousands of cases may never be reported.   On the ‘rescue, return and reunion’ of such missing children, he pointed to the sheer psychological trauma they may have suffered and sought to know how such child-lifter networks continued to thrive openly and blatantly.   The MNS chief targeted what he claimed was the “state’s lack of proactive measures to identify and dismantle child-begging rackets” as many juveniles can be seen begging at railway stations, bus stands, traffic signals, often accompanied by adults with doubtful authenticity.   “If some woman claims to be the child’s relative or guardian, should the government not order a thorough probe? Is it inappropriate to consider even a DNA test in suspicious cases,” Raj Thackeray demanded.   Slamming the government and the Opposition, he lamented how both sides failed to prioritise such urgent social issues in the legislature where discussions centre around partisan sparring.   The letter also mentions attempts by the Centre to coordinate with states on the ‘missing or trafficked children’, regretting how political upmanships and symbolic debates prevent meaningful action on the ground.   The NCRB said that Maharashtra has consistently ranked among states with the highest number of ‘missing children’, particularly in urban centres like Mumbai, Thane, and Pune.   Simultaneously, experts, child rights NGOs and activists have warned about trafficking networks that exploit poverty, migration and weak law enforcement and low convictions, despite official rescue missions or rehab efforts.   In his appeal, Raj Thackeray called upon Fadnavis to take concrete, visible measures rather than discussions and conventions. “Maharashtra expects decisive steps from you, not speeches. Jai Maharashtra,” he signed off.     In October 2023,Sharad Pawar red-flagged ‘missing girls-women’ This is the second major social cause by a political leader, two years after Nationalist Congress Party (SP) President Sharad Pawar had red-flagged nearly 20,000 ‘missing women and girls’ from the state between Jan-May 2023.   In the present instance, Raj Thackeray said that “behind the statistics lies a far more disturbing reality involving organised, inter-state gangs that kidnap children, physically abuse them and force them into begging rings”.   “Little kids are assaulted, made to beg and shifted across states. Groups of children disappear suddenly, and the government appears unable, or unwilling, to grasp the seriousness of what is happening,” said Thackeray in a strong tone.

Pricey Plates

Updated: Feb 21

Maharashtra’s transport department has embarked on a fresh enforcement drive, cracking down on fancy number plates and mandating High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP) for vehicles. While such measures may be well-intentioned in their aim to curb theft and standardise identification, the timing and cost of implementation raise pertinent questions. In a state where pothole-ridden roads, chaotic traffic and frequent wrong-side driving are routine hazards for commuters, is imposing additional costs on citizens the best use of resources?


The urgency with which the authorities are enforcing this mandate is striking. A special drive that began on February 18 will run until mid-March, with transport officials ordered to inspect vehicles daily. Those found flouting the HSRP rule will be fined, and non-compliance could lead to harsher penalties. Vehicles registered after April 1, 2019 are required to have HSRPs, and their owners must comply by April 30 this year or face fines of Rs. 1,000. The government has even appointed three private agencies to handle the installation across different zones in the state. The initiative, however, is riddled with practical concerns.


To begin with, compliance rates remain abysmally low. Of the over 1.5 crore vehicles eligible for HSRPs, only five lakh have made the switch so far. The plates cost between Rs. 531 and Rs. 879, no small sum for the average two-wheeler or car owner, especially in a state grappling with economic pressures. For many, this new mandate appears less about road safety and more about revenue collection, with private agencies benefitting at the expense of ordinary citizens.


Moreover, if the government is so eager to enforce traffic regulations, there are far more pressing issues that warrant attention. The roads in Mumbai and Pune, Maharashtra’s largest cities, are in a state of perpetual disrepair. Traffic congestion is endemic, with narrow roads unable to cope with the rising number of vehicles. Lawless driving remains rampant with wrong-side driving, signal jumping and reckless overtaking daily occurrences. Yet, rather than investing in better road infrastructure or improving enforcement of traffic rules, the government seems determined to make vehicle owners foot the bill for an additional bureaucratic requirement.


The authorities argue that HSRPs are essential for curbing vehicle theft and streamlining identification. The plates, made of a rare aluminium alloy, feature a tamper-proof hologram of the Ashok Chakra, a retro-reflective film and a unique laser-etched serial number. These security features make it harder for stolen vehicles to be resold or re-registered under a false identity. While this is a valid concern, it is unclear why the entire financial burden must be shouldered by vehicle owners. Should the state not bear at least a portion of the costs, given that road safety and crime prevention are public responsibilities?


Maharashtra’s roads and traffic management are in dire need of reform. While standardised number plates may offer benefits, they are hardly the most pressing concern. If the government is serious about road safety, it would do well to focus on smoother roads, better traffic policing and stricter enforcement of existing rules. Maharashtra’s motorists do not need a more expensive number plate; they need roads worth driving on.

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