Three students went missing from Chilataila Residential Ashram School under Rasol police station limits in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district, triggering concern among parents and authorities, officials said on Wednesday.

The incident came to light after the students failed to return to the school premises during the institution’s annual sports festival on December 10. Despite repeated efforts by school authorities to trace them, the students remained unaccounted for, following which the headmaster lodged a written complaint at Rasol police station.

Based on the complaint, Rasol police registered a case and launched search operations at multiple locations. Police are also examining CCTV footage from nearby areas and questioning locals as part of the investigation, sources said.

Families Allege Negligence

Meanwhile, the families of the missing students have alleged negligence on the part of the school authorities and filed a counter-complaint at the police station, accusing teachers of failing to ensure proper supervision during the event.

Police and Administration Probe Underway

Confirming the incident, Dhenkanal District Social Welfare Officer Rudra Prasanna Parija said two of the missing students are from Class 2, while one is from Class 6. “The students were playing during the annual sports event when they went missing and did not return to the school. A complaint has been lodged, and the investigation is underway. They are still missing,” he said.

Parija further said all three students belong to the same village in the Bhuban area. “We suspect they may not have gone far, as they did not have any money with them. Based on preliminary information, they are believed to be somewhere in a nearby locality, and the police are probing this angle,” he added.

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He also said an administrative-level inquiry has been initiated to examine the circumstances under which the students went missing. “We are in constant touch with the parents, and the issue of supervision during the event is being examined as part of the inquiry,” the District Social Welfare Officer said.