Phidim, September 15

Two students who had disappeared suddenly from the hostel of Phidim-based Mechi Boarding School six days ago are yet to come in contact in Panchthar.

Prithvi Rai, 15, a student of grade IX; and Basanta Rai, 14, a student of grade VI at the school have gone missing since Saturday night.

“An FIR has been filed at the District Police Office today after the kin and the school administration failed to ascertain the whereabouts of the students,” said the school administration.

The DPO had called the boys to the office for interrogation on September 9 after they were accused of stealing dozens of mobile phones from different individuals in Phidim bazaar on September 8.

The boys were released from the police office at around 10:00 pm in the presence of school Vice-principal Kul Raj Neyonghang and a student Debit Shrestha on Saturday.

Neyonghang said the boys disappeared after dinner at the hostel.

Principal Sita Seling said she had caned them a few times for stealing the mobile sets. “Although the police, family members, and the entire school family are trying their best to find the boys, we haven’t been successful so far,” said the school.

Prithvi’s father Jagadish accused the school of negligence, stating that the school didn’t report to him about the incident even after the police detained his son for interrogation on the charge of theft.