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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.

The opposition is the voice of the public: Sanjay Raut, as INDIA bloc calls for special Parliament session


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New Delhi: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, speaking after the INDIA alliance meeting on Tuesday, emphasised the importance of the opposition's voice in Parliament.



After the meeting at the press conference, Raut said, "There are signatures of 16 political parties on the letter that we have written to the Prime Minister. This is not a normal letter. The opposition is the voice of the public. We want a special session to be called to discuss whatever has happened in the country so far..."



Raut questioned the government, asking, "If a ceasefire was called on the suggestion of President Trump, then why can't a special session be held even after repeated requests from the Opposition? Should we go to President Trump for a special session?"



When asked about NCP SCP not being on the list of political parties writing a letter to PM Modi, Raut said that Sharad Pawar is also with the alliance. "Sharad Pawar is also with us. Supriya Sule is out with the delegation. When I reach Mumbai, I will speak with Sharad Pawar." Raut stated.



Sixteen political parties of the INDIA alliance have written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding a special session of Parliament to discuss the Pahalgam terrorist attack, Operation Sindoor and Trump's announcement on Tuesday.



Earlier in the day, speaking at the press conference, after the INDIA alliance meeting, the representative Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda, emphasised the need for a special session to thank the armed forces and discuss strategies to eradicate terrorism.



"16 political parties of the INDIA alliance have written a letter to PM Modi that a special session of the Parliament must be called. During the Pahalgam terrorist attack and the conflict between India and Pakistan, all the opposition parties stood in support of our armed forces and the government of India. When America announced a ceasefire, we demanded that a special session of the Parliament be held so that all the parties could thank our armed forces. " Hooda said.



Hooda added, "From Pahalgam to Operation Sindoor to America's announcement of the ceasefire, we should have discussions on them in the Parliament. We should also discuss how to eradicate terrorism and our further strategies in the Parliament. Now that the Govt of India is putting forward its views in front of the world, I think the govt should do the same in the Parliament as well...."



Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien reiterated the same, stating that the government is responsible to Parliament, and Parliament is responsible to the people. "16 parties have written a letter to the Prime Minister demanding a special session of the Parliament...The letter talks about Poonch, Uri, Rajouri and having a free discussion in Parliament. The government is responsible to the Parliament; Parliament is responsible to the people. That's why we are demanding a special session of the Parliament." O'Brien said.



O'Brien further informed that parties on board and that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will write a separate letter to the Prime Minister on Wednesday, supporting the demand for a special session."The parties that have written a letter to the Prime Minister are the Indian National Congress, Samajwadi Party, AITC, DMK, Shiv Sena (UBT), RJD, Jammu & Kashmir National Conference, CPI (M), IUML, CPI, RSP, JMM, VCK, Kerala Congress, MDMK, Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation...AAP will be writing directly tomorrow to the PM..." TMC MP said.



A group of INDIA bloc leaders met at the Constitution Club today after more than 200 MPs from the Lok Sabha signed a letter to PM Modi calling for a Special Session of Parliament to discuss Operation Sindoor.



On May 7, India launched Operation Sindoor as a decisive military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists in which 26 people were killed. Indian Armed Forces targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, leading to the death of over 100 terrorists affiliated with terror outfits like the Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen.

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