Upset over reprimand, teen goes missing

PraveenKumar | NT

The management of a state g overnment run residential school had a tough t ime in finding out aninth standardboy who disappeared fromthe school premises after being warned by the principal for his behaviour with a j uniorstudent. The incident happened at the Morarji Desai Residential School on the BengaluruRamanagara Road.

The boy was foundat the Chamundi Hills in Mysuru. After the school staff got to know, they rushed to the spot and brought him back to t he school. Theboy is aresident of Veerbhadranagar in Bengaluru and h ad joined the s e schoolfrom sixthstandard.

The 14-year-old boy had gone missing on February 19 at around 6 d 6.30 pm. The school principal had brought the matter to the notice of the jurisdictional police on the next day.

OnFebruary18, asixth standard student approachedthe principal to complain that hissenior had stampedhis feet. The principal summoned the senior and warned him not to repeat theact.

The next day the senior s tudent managedto escape from the school by jumping t he compound wall.The incident came to lightat around 9.50pm when thephysicaleducation teacher was taking attendance.

The teacher brought the matter to the notice of the principal and the boy’s parents in Bengaluru were informed. “The boundary wall of the school has been thoroughly f y fenced. Des pi s p i t e t e thi s , the stu- dent managed to scale the fence that is on a fourfeet compound wall. He has taken the help of a boulder which is next to the compound wall. Now weare planning to increase the height of the fence. The boy after being traced has stated that he was afraid that his father wouldcome and beat him for his behaviour towards the junior student. He has further stated that he collected 50 rupees from a few students and with that money he has gone tothe hills after boarding a bus. He was atop the hill.He did not say about his furtherplans and we did not force him,” M. Mahesh, Principal, Morarji Desai Residential School told News Trail.

The Principal is contemplating to discuss with the department officials concerned to installCCTV cameras. He did not elaborate on how they g ot to know that the student was at Chamundi hills.

The staff members are keeping a close watch on the student, so that he does not repeat it. Other students have also been advised not to take such steps. The school has students from classes 6th to 10th.

“Since the student has been found, we need to follow the procedures before closing the case. The boy’s statements will have to be recorded to rule out the possibility of any foul play,” said a police officer.