**Berhampur: ** Eight inmates of an SC and ST ‘Kanyashram’ in Mohana block of Gajapati district, who had fled, alleging negligence of hostel authorities, were traced at a nearby forest on Tuesday.
The girls, students of Luhagudi Upper Primary School, had run away from the hostel a day back, citing issues such as restrictions on use of potable water and food.
The girls said, they were admonished by the hostel staffers when the former appraised the school administration about their concerns.
On Monday, when the hostel matron was away, the aggrieved girls managed to flee from the premises. They were tracked at Lakhari forest near Pendrakhal village at 11 am on Tuesday, sources said.
Contacted, the Block Welfare Extension Officer (WEO) of Mohana, Simanchal Behera said, “All the eight girls have been safely rescued. Their concerns will be duly addressed after discussion with the students,” he added.
