In a recent development, 19-year-old Aman Kumar Singh, a National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) aspirant reported missing from his paying guest (PG) accommodation in Kota, has been located in Uttar Pradesh's Kushinagar. The news was confirmed by Kota police on Tuesday, May 14.
Singh, hailing from Bihar, went missing from his PG in Kota's Swarn Vihar colony on the night of May 11 and 12. Acting swiftly, Kota police utilized technical means and inquiries to track Singh's location, eventually locating him in Kushinagar, UP, as reported by PTI.
Kota City Superintendent of Police (SP) Amrita Duhan commended the efforts of the local police, stating that Singh was successfully located on Monday night, May 13. A Kota police team was promptly dispatched to Kushinagar to bring the missing teenager back to Kota.
According to Kunhari Circle Inspector Arvind Bhardwaj, Singh was traced on Monday night and is currently being escorted back to Kota by city police. Authorities believe that Singh willingly travelled to Kushinagar.
However, the circumstances surrounding Singh's disappearance raised concerns. Before vanishing, he left a note expressing disappointment with his NEET exam performance and doubts about his ability to crack the exam. CCTV footage captured Singh leaving Kota Railway Station accompanied by another individual before boarding a train, according to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Rajesh Soni.
In a perplexing turn of events, Singh's note instructed readers to search for him near Kota Barrage near the Chambal River. Despite efforts by the police, Singh was not found at the designated location, leading authorities to suspect that the note may have been deliberately left to mislead both police and family members.
Meanwhile, another case of a missing student has come to light involving 19-year-old Rajasthan native, Rajendra Prasad Meena. Meena informed his parents via text message that he did not wish to continue studying and was leaving home for five years with only Rs. 8,000 in hand. His whereabouts remain unknown.
These incidents highlight the challenges faced by students preparing for competitive exams and the need for timely intervention and support from authorities and communities. As efforts continue to ensure the safe return of missing students, questions regarding the pressures and mental health issues faced by aspirants preparing for high-stakes exams come to the forefront.