Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi revealed in the assembly on Monday that a total of 36,420 women and 8,403 children went missing in the state over the past five years.

Majhi, in a written reply to the House, stated that 421 women were trafficked to other states by middlemen, leading to the arrest of 453 individuals involved in the crime. The CM assured the assembly that the state police have been proactive in addressing the issue.

“The police have been immediately registering cases based on complaints and have taken action to trace the missing and trafficked individuals,” Majhi said.

The data highlights growing concerns over the safety and well-being of women and children in Odisha, with the state government under pressure to improve surveillance and law enforcement measures to curb trafficking and ensure greater protection.

Authorities are intensifying efforts to locate and rescue those missing, and further investigations are underway.