Minor Boy Climbs 100-Foot Tree in Angul, Demands Meeting With Girlfriend; Rescued Safely

Angul: Tension prevailed in Odisha’s Angul district on Tuesday after a minor boy climbed nearly 100 feet up a eucalyptus tree inside the Utkal Balashram premises in Amalapada and refused to come down for around one and a half hours, demanding to meet his girlfriend.

According to reports, the boy allegedly threatened to end his life by making a rope from a towel if his demand was not fulfilled, triggering panic among authorities and locals present at the scene.

The boy, a native of the Rairakhol area, had reportedly eloped with his minor girlfriend earlier. The duo was later traced and rescued by the Railway Police and produced before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). As per the committee’s directive, the boy was kept at Utkal Balashram, while the girl was shifted to a Sakhi Counselling Centre.

On being informed, personnel from fire services, police, and Angul Municipality rushed to the spot and launched rescue and counselling efforts. Officials engaged the boy in continuous dialogue, assuring him that his concerns would be addressed.

After nearly one and a half hours of high drama, the boy finally climbed down safely following assurances from the authorities that he would be allowed to meet the girl. The situation was brought under control without any untoward incident.