Around 23,000 women, girls missing in Madhya Pradesh for over a month to 1.5 years: State government
Bhopal: Around 23,000 women and girls have been missing for periods ranging from over a month to up to 1.5 years in Madhya Pradesh, according to official data shared by the state government.
The information came to light during the ongoing monsoon session of the Vidhan Sabha in response to a query raised by senior Congress MLA Bala Bachchan. The government’s written reply, cited by The New Indian Express, states that as of June 30, 2025, more than 21,000 women and over 1,900 girls had been missing for longer than a month in Madhya Pradesh.
The data includes cases reported between January and December 2024, as well as from January to June 2025. Alarmingly, several districts reported particularly high numbers. In at least 30 districts, the number of missing women exceeded 500. These include Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, as well as Gwalior, Sagar, Chhatarpur, Dhar, and Rewa.
The government’s information also highlighted a troubling detail: around 1,500 individuals accused in various crimes against women remain untraceable. Among them, 575 are wanted in rape cases, and over 600 are linked to other sexual offences.
In connection with missing persons cases, 76 suspects are currently on the run in cases involving missing women, while 254 are absconding in cases of abduction of minor girls.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
ALSO READ: Chinese GPS tracker found on seagull near Karwar Coast
"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
