AGARTALA: Two 14-year-old students from Agartala, who ventured to Mumbai in pursuit of a career, have been reunited with their families after being traced and apprehended by the police recently.
The teenagers, identified as Omkar Chakraborty and Prithibi Debbarma, both students of Class 8, confessed to authorities that they absconded from home to evade academic responsibilities and the pressures of studies.
They expressed a belief that Mumbai offered better prospects for building a career and were captivated by its allure and cultural vibrancy.
Setting off from Agartala on March 7 without informing their parents, the duo embarked on their journey equipped with mobile phones and Rs 1,300 in cash.
However, they deliberately deactivated their phones en route and destroyed their SIM cards to avoid being tracked.
Upon arriving in Mumbai, the teenagers spent the night outdoors near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus on March 11 before exploring renowned landmarks such as Marine Drive, the Gateway of India, and Girgaon Chowpatty.
Concerned by their absence, the parents of Omkar and Prithibi filed a report with the Agartala police when the boys failed to return home.
The investigating officer told the press that the boys had accurately prepared for their excursion, carrying their documents with them as they harboured intentions of settling down in Mumbai.
However, upon encountering the bustling crowds of the city, they became apprehensive and decided to abandon their plans.
The police added that they could trace the boys after one of the boys managed to borrow a phone from a stranger to call home, and the location indicated they were near the station.
Later, when they were reported to have spotted at Chowpatty beach, the investigative team quickly found them at a food stall, ensuring their safety, and promptly informed both the local Agartala police and their parents.
