52 people still missing in Baitadi over the past three years

Baitadi: The number of people who have gone missing in Baitadi over the past three years has reached 52, according to the District Police Office.

Police data shows that in the fiscal year 2079/80, 105 people were reported missing, of whom 91 were found, while 14 remain untraced. In the fiscal year 2080/81, 113 people went missing, and in 2081/82, 115 people were reported missing, of whom 86 have been found.

Police Inspector Balram Pandey, spokesperson for the District Police Office, said women and children account for the majority of missing persons. In the last fiscal year alone, reports were filed for 55 women, 27 boys, 29 girls, and one senior citizen.

Pandey noted that the number of missing persons is rising partly because some families fail to inform the police even after locating their relatives. As Baitadi shares an open border with India, many missing individuals are found to have crossed into India. Misuse of social media and other factors have also contributed to the increase, police said.