KATHMANDU: The number of children being reported missing has been increasing of late.

The Metropolitan Police Range, Balaju alone received reports of 52 children missing for the past six months. Social networking and peer involvement have been increasing the trend children going missing, said Assistant Sub Inspector at the Women and Children Cell, Sangita Adhikari.

Of the 52 reported missing at the Range, 37 were traced and handed over to their respective parents while 11 others have not yet been found.

In the previous fiscal year, the Range had received 83 children missing complaints. Of them, 43 were girls and 40 boys. Police found 19 boys and 36 girls and handed them over to their parents.

Likewise, 23 children were handed over to various social organizations after their parents could not be identified.