1023 women,954 minor girls missing in Orissa since 2005

Bhubaneswar, July 31 (UNI) Altogether 1023 women, including 666 unmarried women, were reported missing in Orissa since 2005, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik told the state assembly today.

Replying to a question of Congress member Tara Prasad Bahinipati, the Chief Minister said during the period 594 minor girls were also found missing.

He said out of 357 women reported missing, 79 were rescued and handed over to their family members. Similarly, 131 of the 666 unmarried women were traced and handed over to their family members.

Among the 594 minor girls untraced during the period, 145 were subsequently rescued and sent to their parents.

Furnishing a districtwise break up of missing women, the Chief Minister said a maximum 30 married women were reported missing in the tribal dominated Sundargarh district followed by 28 in the steel city of Rourkela and 26 each from Sambalpur and Khurda district.

Among the adult girls missing in the state, Nayagarh district registered a highest number of 66 followed by 54 in Rourkela and 50 each in Balasore and Keonjhar district.

The Coastal district of Balasore reported a maximum number of 67 minor girls missing during the period, of which only seven could be traced so far. Similarly in the steel city of Rourkela in Sundargarh district 66 minor girls were reported missing of which only 17 could be traced so far, the Chief Minister said.

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