The Maharashtra Police on Saturday launched a massive search for a national bravery award winning boy — who was honoured by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year —and his brother, who have gone been missing from their home in Jalgaon district of north Maharashtra.
Nilesh Bhil (12), who was bestowed the General National Bravery Award in January 2016, and his younger brother and Ganpat (7) disappeared from Kothli village in Muktainagar taluka of in Jalgaon district on May 17.
After searching intensely for their two children in their neighbourhood, Revaram Bhil and Sundarbai — both work as labourers in farms — lodged a complaint with the Muktainagar police station on Friday evening. However, their third son Nikesh (10) is safe at home.
While Nilesh disappeared on Wednesday, Ganpat went missing on Thursday. Though parents apprehend that the two might have been kidnapped, there is no official confirmation as yet to prove their apprehension.
Investigating Officer of Muktainagar Police Station Vandana Sonawane said that a special team had been set up to launch a search for the two missing brothers, while , all police stations in Jalgaon district and surrounding areas had been asked to look out for the two boys.
Sonawane said that the police had released public appeals in the local media on Saturday and put up posters with photos of the two boys at various public places, markets, bus and railway stations. “In addition, our policemen are looking for the two missing boys at the possible locations,” she said.
Nilesh had received the General National Bravery Award in January 2016 — coinciding with the Republic Day celebrations — from Prime Minister Modi for saving a village boy from drowning in a water tank the previous year.
The National Bravery Awards, initiated by the Indian Council for Child Welfare (ICCW), are awarded to children in the age group of 6-18 years for exemplary acts of bravery.
The awards consist of five categories, including the Bharat Award, Sanjay Chopra Award, Geeta Chopra Award, Bapu Gaidhani Award and the General National Bravery Awards. The awardees receive a medal, a certificate, and cash prize. Bharat Award winners get a gold medal, while the others receive silver. The cash award amounts range from Rs20,000 to Rs50,000.