Three Balika Ashram inmates go missing

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Case of kidnapping registered

* The girls studying in Classes IX and X left the ashram at Tutikandi for their school on Wednesday.

* The issue of their disappearance came to light when the principal called up the ashram authorities to enquire about the reason for the girls' absence.

* The police have registered a case of kidnapping.

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Tribune News Service

Shimla, June 20

Three inmates of Balika Ashram at Tutikandi, near here, went missing on Wednesday while they were on their way to the school. They are students of Classes IX and X.

The matter came to light when the principal called up the ashram authorities to enquire the reason for the girls' absence.

The police said while one girl was a Nepalese, the two other belonged to Solan and Mandi. Although the police questioned other girls who had also left the ashram for school, there is no clue about their whereabouts so far.

The families and relatives of the girls have been informed about their disappearance.

A case of kidnapping under Section 363 of the IPC has been registered at the Boileauganj police station, though it is not known whether the girls have been kidnapped or gone somewhere on their own. However, in view of the court directives, a case of kidnapping has been registered.

The police are checking CCTV footages of the cameras installed near the ISBT. Searches were also conducted in the surrounding areas of the ashram and the school.