Class topper flees home to avoid board exam, returns after counselling

Nagpur: A 16-year-old boy, a class topper, from Dongargarh in Chhattisgarh fled home on Sunday as he wanted to avoid appearing in his CBSE Std X board examination. He was traced at Nagpur railway station in the early hours of Monday.
The minor, who always had sound academic background, was unhappy with his parents, who wanted him to appear in the ongoing examination. Under pressure, and fearing he would fail to perform up to his parents’ expectations, the minor decided to leave home and landed up in Nagpur.
Senior inspector of Government Railway Police (GRP), Nagpur, Manisha Kashid said the Dongargarh police had registered a case of kidnapping and tracked his cellphone location to Nagpur railway station. “At around 1am, the boy was spotted on platform number three. He was sitting on a bench in a pensive mood,” said Kashid.
The PI added the railway police have been told to remain alert and intensify patrolling in and around platforms during the exam period, as runaway minors are commonly found using the railways.
Kashid said the minor was offered food, shelter and counselling to settle his fears. “The minor was unwilling to return to his family and appear in the exam. I counselled him but wanted the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) to take a call on the issue as the boy was depressed,” said Kashid.
She added SP (in-charge) Vaishali Shinde had instructed GRP units to handle cases of minors with sensitivity. “The boy’s family too had come but he was unwilling to go,” said Kashid, adding the minor’s family was extended full support by GRP.
“I had also counselled the family, especially the parents of the boy, to be friendlier and not burden the teenager with expectations, or place him under so much pressure of performance. Despite being a topper in class, the minor was buckling under pressure,” said the GRP inspector.
It’s learnt the CWC, under chairmanship of Chhaya Gurav, conducted prolonged counselling sessions with the boy and convinced him to return with his family members. “We have informed the Child Protection Unit officer of Dongargarh to keep tabs on the minor and the family, and ensure he does not feel the need to leave home again,” said a CWC source.