Belthangady: The mysterious disappearance of a ninth-grade student in Nala village of Belthangady taluk in the early hours of Wednesday, January 14, has triggered fear, anxiety and intense speculation among residents. The discovery of bloodstains along the route the boy usually takes to a nearby temple has heightened concerns, with villagers suspecting a possible wildlife attack.
The missing boy has been identified as Sumanth (15), son of Subrahmanya Nayak, a resident of Sambolya Baramelu in Kuvettu village. Sumanth is a student of Gerukatte High School and had stepped out of his house early in the morning to attend Dhanurmasa puja (locally referred to as Dhanupuja) at the Nala temple, a routine he followed daily along with his friends.
Disappearance during routine temple visit
According to family members and local sources, Sumanth left his house early on Wednesday morning, as he did every day during the Dhanurmasa period. On this particular day, however, he reportedly left home slightly later than usual. His two friends, who usually accompany him to the temple, waited for him along the route for some time. When he did not arrive, they proceeded to the temple assuming he might be delayed.
When Sumanth failed to reach the temple even after a considerable time, his friends grew suspicious. They immediately contacted his family to check whether he had left home. The family confirmed that Sumanth had indeed stepped out earlier, prompting alarm among the friends and relatives.
Bloodstains found near pond
A search was launched almost immediately by family members and villagers along the path Sumanth usually takes to reach the temple. During the search, bloodstains were discovered near a pond located in a garden area along the route. The presence of blood has intensified fears, as no personal belongings or clear signs of the boy were found at the spot.
Villagers said the bloodstains were visible on the pathway close to the pond, raising serious concerns about the possibility of an attack. The discovery was promptly reported to authorities, who rushed to the scene.
Leopard movement raises suspicion
Adding to the anxiety is the recent sighting of leopards in the surrounding areas. For the past several days, residents of Machina, Nala and nearby villages have reported leopard movement, particularly during early morning and late evening hours.
Given the proximity of the bloodstains to the pond and scrub forest, many villagers strongly suspect that Sumanth may have been attacked by a leopard. Forest officials have neither confirmed nor ruled out this possibility, stating that investigations are ongoing.
“This area has seen leopard movement recently. People are scared, especially now that a child is missing,” said a local resident who joined the search operation.
Massive search operation underway
As soon as information about the missing boy and the bloodstains came to light, teams from the Belthangady Police, Forest Department and Fire and Emergency Services rushed to the spot. A coordinated search operation was launched, focusing on the pond, nearby gardens and the surrounding scrub forest.
Hundreds of villagers have also voluntarily joined the search, forming groups to comb the area despite the risk posed by potential wildlife presence. The pond is being searched carefully, while forest officials are scanning dense vegetation for any signs or clues.
Officials said the search operation is being carried out cautiously, keeping in mind both the safety of rescuers and the urgency of locating the missing boy.
Village gripped by fear and anxiety
Sumanth’s disappearance has cast a pall of fear over Kuvettu, Nala and surrounding villages. Parents are reportedly afraid to allow their children to step out alone, especially during early morning hours. Many residents have demanded immediate measures to address the growing threat of wildlife intrusion into human settlements.
“This is extremely frightening. If leopards are roaming so close to houses and temples, how can we send our children out?” questioned another villager.
The incident has once again brought attention to the increasing instances of human-wildlife conflict in rural parts of Dakshina Kannada, particularly in forest-adjacent villages.
Authorities urge calm, continue probe
Police officials have urged residents not to panic and to cooperate with the ongoing search and investigation. They said all possible angles, including wildlife attack and other causes, are being examined.
Forest department officials are expected to intensify patrolling in the area and may deploy camera traps if necessary to ascertain leopard movement patterns. Senior officials are also likely to visit the spot to assess the situation.
Conclusion
The disappearance of 15-year-old Sumanth while on his way to a routine temple visit has shocked Belthangady taluk and created widespread fear. With bloodstains found near a pond and recent leopard sightings in the area, the incident has taken a worrying turn. As a large-scale search continues involving multiple departments and local residents, the entire region waits anxiously for answers, hoping for clarity and, above all, the boy’s safe recovery.