Bhopal: A total of nearly 2.74 lakh women and girls have been reported missing in Madhya Pradesh between 2020 and January 2026. The figures were shared by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav in a written reply in the State Assembly.

As per the data, 2,35,977 individuals have been traced so far. However, 68,334 women and girls are still unaccounted for. The numbers have raised fresh concerns over safety and monitoring systems across the state.

On average, about 130 disappearances were reported daily during this period.

Rising Trend

Annual missing cases crossed 30,000 in 2020 and climbed beyond 40,000 in 2023. Major urban centres such as Indore, Bhopal, Gwalior, Jabalpur and Ujjain recorded the highest numbers.

Congress MLA Vikrant Bhuria described the situation as a “structural failure” and called for greater transparency and urgent corrective steps.

Concerns Over Systemic Gaps

While officials pointed to rescue and recovery drives, critics flagged ongoing gaps in tracking and response systems. These gaps, they said, could expose missing women and girls to risks such as trafficking, exploitation and forced marriages.

The data has sparked debate on the need for stronger coordination between law enforcement, local communities and social agencies to improve prevention, reporting and recovery efforts.

Experts stress that beyond policing, awareness at the community level and faster response mechanisms are key to ensuring safety across the state.