Search intensified after school uniform, bag recovered near tracks
Patna police have launched a multi-pronged search after a Class 10 girl, student of Kendriya Vidyalaya in the Khagaul area, went missing on Monday following school hours, officials said on Tuesday. Her school dress and bag were found close to railway tracks, prompting local residents to blockade traffic briefly before police intervened, according to Danapur SDPO-1 Ajeet Kumar.
CCTV footage obtained from the school precincts shows the girl leaving with a friend after classes ended, the officer said. The development has drawn the involvement of the city police, the railway police force and a dog squad as authorities stepped up efforts to trace the student.
"We received information that the school uniform and bag of a girl were found here on the railway track. Enraged locals had blocked traffic, which was cleared by the police," SDPO Ajeet Kumar said.
Police said they were "investigating the case from all angles" and were carrying out several lines of inquiry to establish the circumstances of the disappearance. As part of the probe, officers are examining call detail records and phone numbers for any suspicious or outside contacts. Sources said the search continued along the railway track and adjacent areas where the items were recovered.
Actions taken so far
- Local police registered the missing-person inquiry and coordinated search operations.
- Railway police joined the effort because the girl's belongings were located near tracks.
- A dog squad was deployed to follow scents and check likely routes.
- Investigators are analysing CCTV footage and scrutinising phone call detail records.
- Traffic disruption caused by angry residents was managed by police to restore movement.
The school where the girl studies, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Khagaul, has been identified as the last confirmed location in the CCTV timeline released by investigators. Police did not give further personal details about the student, including age or name, beyond her class, citing the sensitive nature of the case.
Railway-adjacent incidents and local concerns
Incidents involving children and railway tracks remain a major safety concern in Patna and other urban centres. Recovery of personal items near tracks often raises the possibility of accidental injury, abduction, or voluntary disappearance; authorities emphasised that all possibilities were being considered.
Locals who found the bag and uniform reacted strongly, briefly blocking traffic on the adjacent road, officials said. The protest was cleared after police engagement and the search resumed. Police said they were coordinating with the school to contact family members and gather information on the girl's recent movements and contacts.
| Element | Status |
|---|---|
| Items recovered | School dress and bag found near railway tracks |
| Forensic/technical checks | CCTV footage under review; call detail records being examined |
| Field search | Railway police and dog squad deployed |
Police have appealed to anyone with information to come forward. They are particularly interested in obtaining any additional CCTV footage from the route between the school and the railway track, as well as statements from the friend who was seen on camera with the girl after school.
Parents and residents in the Khagaul locality expressed anxiety over the incident. Community members said they were hoping for a swift resolution and called for improved safety measures for school-going children, especially on routes that pass close to tracks and isolated stretches.
Investigators said updates would be provided as the probe progresses. For now, the case remains an active missing-person investigation with multiple agencies cooperating to locate the student and determine the circumstances that led to her disappearance.
