New law to prevent incidents of missing children: Patil

New Delhi, Mar 7 (UNI) The Centre proposes to amend Indian Penal Code and bring new legislation, if necessary, to prevent incidents of children going missing across the country, Home Minister Shivraj Patil said today.

He said a committee was formed after a large number of human skeletal remains were recovered from Noida's Nathari village in December last year.

When its report is finalised, the government will consult Ministry of Women and Child Welfare, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Law and Justice to strengthen existing laws or make new ones, said Mr Patil in the Rajya Sabha.

Though law and order is a state subject, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is probing the Nithari killings. It is also exploring reports of cannibalism and illegal organ trade, said the Home Minister during Question Hour.

Reports of skeletal remains of children believed to have been sexually abused had stirred the nation.

Businessman Moninder Singh Pandher and his servant Surinder Kohli have been named in FIRs of 19 cases. Incidents of children being kidnapped, abduction of women, rape, murder and disposal of their bodies are being investigated, said Mr Patil.

CPI(M) member Brinda Karat said the Centre should set up a mechanism in consultation with state chief and home ministers to monitor incidents of missing children belonging to migrant workers.

The House agreed to have a separate discussion on the issue.

UNI