Two Class 10 Girls from Hooghly Flee to Ajmer Sharif Days Before Board Exams; Rescued by Police

In a shocking incident just three days before the class 10 state board exams began, two girls from Rishra in Hooghly district, West Bengal, fled to Ajmer Sharif, Rajasthan, fearing the impending examinations. With no preparation for their upcoming exams, the girls left their homes in ward number 5, Rishra, stating that they were headed to coaching classes but never returned.

On the night of January 29, the girls contacted their parents, expressing that they were in trouble and needed help. Fearing for their daughters’ safety, the parents promptly filed a complaint with the Rishra Thana, triggering immediate action from the local police.

Chandannagar Police Commissariat, led by Commissioner Amit P Javalgi, sprang into action, tracking the girls’ whereabouts through their phone numbers. The commissioner personally monitored the case, sharing information with neighboring districts and staying in regular touch with the families.

The police investigation revealed that the girls had boarded a train to Ajmer Sharif, prompting the Chandannagar police to seek assistance from the Rajasthan police. The girls were taken into custody by the Rajasthan police with prompt coordination, and after eight days, they were brought back to West Bengal.

Speaking to News18 Commissioner Chandannagar police Amit P Javalgi explained, “We shared information with all neighbouring districts and were regularly in touch with the families of the missing girls. The girls also had a mobile phone with them. A lady from Ajmer Sharif contacted one of the girls’ parents. We contacted the Rajasthan police and sent a team.” The authorities eventually located the girls and took them to a shelter home for their safety.

While the Class 10 board exams were already underway and some papers were already completed, the incident sparked concerns about the girls’ education. The locals applauded the prompt and decisive response of the police in handling the matter, stressing the risks involved in the drastic measure the girls had chosen because of exam anxiety.

The incident emphasises the need for a caring and understanding learning environment and serves as a sobering reminder of how important it is to treat students’ mental health and stress during exam seasons.