Lost and Found: The Unseen Gaps in Nepal's Missing Persons Crisis

When Reported Missing Doesn't Match the Found

Diya Mittal

Kathmandu, Nepal – The issue of missing persons in Nepal presents a complex challenge, with significant mismatch  between the number of individuals reported missing and those found. Central Police Spokesperson DIGP Dan Bahadur Karki highlights a troubling phenomenon: the people recovered are not always the same as those initially reported missing, leading to a critical gap in the data and raising concerns about the efficacy of current tracking and reporting mechanisms.

Over the past five fiscal years, the Nepal Police have reported a significant number of missing persons, yet the number of found individuals does not always correlate directly with those missing. According to the latest records, a total of 60,948 people were reported missing during this period, while 31,484 were found. The annual breakdown is as follows:

• Year 2076/77: 7,901 reported missing, 3,165 found
• Year 2077/78: 10,031 reported missing, 4,668 found
• Year 2078/79: 14,957 reported missing, 6,650 found
• Year 2079/80: 15,245 reported missing, 9,322 found
• Year 2080/81 (up to Baisakh): 12,814 reported missing, 7,679 found

This data highlights a persistent issue: the number of found individuals often includes people who were not initially reported as missing. This discrepancy complicates efforts to track and reunite missing persons with their families effectively.

Gender and Age Analysis: The data reveals significant gender and age disparities among the missing and found individuals, with women and children being disproportionately affected. For instance, in Year 2076/77, out of the 7,901 reported missing, 4,062 were women and 1,266 were girls. This trend continues across the years, underscoring the vulnerability of these groups:

• Year 2077/78: 5,322 women and 1,747 girls reported missing
• Year 2078/79: 7,141 women and 3,249 girls reported missing
• Year 2079/80: 5,425 women and 4,945 girls reported missing
• Year 2080/81 (up to Baisakh): 4,820 women and 3,793 girls reported missing

Similarly, children, both boys and girls, account for a substantial number of missing cases. In Year 2078/79, for example, 1,135 boys and 3,249 girls were reported missing, reflecting the urgent need to address the safety and protection of younger populations.

A striking aspect of the data is the mismatch between the missing and found individuals. During the search for one missing person, the police may find others who were not reported missing, contributing to the mismatch  in the data. This situation leads to families continuing their search for loved ones while other families unexpectedly reunite with their missing members.

To illustrate the mismatch  and the real-world impact, here are two case studies:

Case Study 1: Khyati Shrestha In a high-profile case, Khyati Shrestha, a teenager, went missing in Kathmandu in 2009. Her disappearance sparked widespread media attention and a massive search effort. Unfortunately, her body was discovered several weeks later, having been brutally murdered. While the case brought to light the severe risks faced by young women, it also highlighted the police’s challenges in tracking and recovering missing persons. The investigation revealed systemic issues in reporting and coordination that delayed finding her.

Case Study 2: Rosy Maharjan Rosy Maharjan, a young girl from Lalitpur, was reported missing in 2017. Her case gained significant attention when it was discovered that she had been trafficked and taken to India. The Nepali police, working with international agencies, managed to rescue her after several months. Rosy's case underscores the vulnerability of young girls to trafficking and the complex international dimensions of missing persons cases.

Several factors contribute to why people go missing in Nepal, including:

1. Domestic Issues: Family conflicts, domestic violence, and marital problems often lead individuals, especially women, to flee their homes.
2. Mental Health Issues: Individuals with mental health conditions, such as dementia or depression, are prone to wandering off.
3. Trafficking and Exploitation: Children and young women are particularly vulnerable to human trafficking and exploitation.
4. Natural Disasters: Earthquakes, floods, and landslides can lead to sudden displacements, making it difficult to track individuals.
5. Voluntary Disappearances: In some cases, people choose to disappear to escape financial troubles, debts, or personal crises.

The conditions in which missing individuals are found vary widely:

1. Safe and Unharmed: Some individuals are found in safe conditions, having stayed with friends or in shelters.
2. Distressed or Injured: Many are found in distressed states, either physically injured or mentally traumatized.
3. Exploited or Trafficked: Tragically, some are found having been subjected to exploitation or trafficking.
4. Deceased: In the worst cases, missing individuals are found deceased due to accidents, violence, or natural causes.

Several factors contribute to the mismatch  between reported and found individuals:

1. Underreporting and Overreporting: Many individuals who go missing are not officially reported due to a lack of awareness or distrust in law enforcement. Conversely, some individuals are found without ever being reported as missing.
2. Lack of Follow-Up: Families often fail to report back to the police once their missing members are found, creating a gap in the records and making it appear that more individuals are still missing than is the case.
3. Transient Populations: Marginalized and transient populations are particularly vulnerable. They often do not have regular contact with authorities, and their disappearances may go unnoticed or unreported.
4. Misidentification: In some cases, the found individuals may be misidentified as the originally reported missing persons, adding to the confusion and mismatch in the data.

To address these issues, a multi-faceted approach is necessary:

1. Improved Reporting Mechanisms: There needs to be a robust system for reporting both missing and found individuals. Families should be encouraged and educated about the importance of reporting these cases accurately and promptly.
2. Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating the public about the importance of reporting missing persons and their recovery can help bridge existing data gaps and reduce mismatch .
3. Enhanced Police Coordination: Improved coordination between different police jurisdictions can ensure efficient sharing of information about missing persons and their recovery.
4. Support for Vulnerable Groups: Providing support to vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and transient groups, can help prevent instances of them going missing and improve recovery rates.
5. Technological Solutions: Utilizing technology, such as a centralized database and mobile applications, can aid in real-time reporting and tracking of missing persons, ensuring that data is accurate and up-to-date.

This initiative demonstrates the potential of technology in addressing the complexities of missing persons cases and highlights the importance of continued innovation and improvement in reporting mechanisms.

The issue of missing persons in Nepal is multifaceted and requires concerted efforts from law enforcement, communities, and the government. The mismatch  in the data highlight the need for systemic improvements to ensure accurate tracking and recovery of missing individuals. By enhancing reporting mechanisms, raising public awareness, providing support to vulnerable populations, and leveraging technology, Nepal can work towards reducing the gap between reported missing and found individuals. Ensuring that every missing person is accounted for and reunited with their families remains a priority, demanding ongoing vigilance and collaboration across all levels of society.

The complexities of tracking and recovering missing persons require not only the diligence of law enforcement but also the cooperation and vigilance of the community. Only through a collective effort can we hope to close the gap between those who go missing and those who are found, ensuring that every missing person is accounted for and reunited with their loved ones.