Four missing schoolboys rescued after overnight search in Odisha's Deogarh village

Four minor school students who had gone missing since Wednesday evening from Tinkbir village under Reamal police station limits in Deogarh district of Odisha were safely traced on Thursday morning, bringing relief to their families and villagers.

According to sources, the four minor students had returned home from school at around 4 pm on Wednesday and later went to the village playground to watch a local cricket match. However, they did not return home thereafter. When the children failed to come back even after a long wait, their family members began searching for them in and around the village.

As their whereabouts remained unknown, the families informed Reamal police, following which a search operation was launched.

Police Teams Conduct Overnight Search

Acting on the directions of Deogarh Superintendent of Police Anil Kumar Mishra, two special teams were formed and they conducted a search operation throughout the night. Despite extensive efforts, the children could not be traced until early morning.

The search continued with assistance from local residents, who also joined in scanning nearby areas.

Villagers Trace Children Near Shiva Temple

At around 7 am on Thursday, villagers spotted the four minors inside a forested area on a small hill  near a Shiva temple located within the village. The children were subsequently rescued by local residents and brought back safely.

Sources said the minors were unable to clearly explain why or under what circumstances they had gone into that area.

Relief Among Families

Following their safe recovery, a sense of relief prevailed among the families of the children as well as villagers, who had remained anxious throughout the night.

As per reports, the children’s health condition was stable at the time of reporting, and no injury marks were found on them. While the exact reason as to how and why they went to the hill was not established, it is suspected that they went there of their own accord and, out of fear of being scolded by their family members, are not disclosing the details.

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Police said further inquiry would be conducted to ascertain the circumstances that led to the children spending the night in the forest area.