Daijiworld Media Network - Karkala (SP)

Karkala, Jul 15: Manoj (13), son of Barmajo, who resides with father at Hudco Colony here, pedalled his bicycle 38 km to Udupi on Monday July 13 evening in an attempt to flee from his family. He is a native of Channagiri in Shivamogga district, and an eighth standard student of a residential school. Reportedly, he wanted to escape because he was disinterested in studies.

The boy, his family found, had bought a fishing line from a petty shop near Gayatri Factory at Gundyadka at around 5 pm on Monday. The same evening, he had bought some food from Chinese fast food near taluk office junction at Udupi, but could part with only ten rupees as he had no money.

After getting information that he had bought a fishing line, his family members, with the assistance of locals, had searched for him in water bodies like Ramasamudra, Anekere, Kabettu, Parappu etc. His father also filed missing complaint in the town police station.

The boy, who had been tired after pedalling his bicycle to Udupi, and suffering from hunger with no money in his pocket, called his father from Udupi bus stand. Cooking up a story, he told his father that he was walking with his friend near the taluk office in the town, when unidentified people dragged both of them into a car, abducted them, and confined them in a godown at Udupi. He said his bicycle was tied by them to the top of the car. He also claimed that he along with his friend, had succeeded in escaping from the godown and reaching Udupi bus stand, and asked his father to rescue him.

The police, who found Manoj at the bus stand at Udupi, brought him here. After obtaining statement from him, and giving some advice, he was allowed to join his parents.