Patna, Jan. 31: Another schoolboy went missing from Jehanabad even as chief minister Nitish Kumar asked his police force to form a School Task Force (STF) that would keep an eagle eye on the schools and ensure the safety of students.

Twelve-year-old Rannu Kumar disappeared from Panchmahla locality under Town Police Station in Jehanabad, sparking fears that he was kidnapped.

The Class VII student of a local government school was last sighted playing in front of his house around 7 pm yesterday. His father has registered a case with the police station, accusing his neighbour of having kidnapped Ranu.

Sao has been detained for interrogation, sources said.

Not even two weeks ago, Nirmalendu Prakash Diwakar, a Don Bosco Academy student, was lifted by criminals while going to school. Following this incident, hundreds of students from different schools have been holding rallies, prayers and fasts for his the safe return.

Such has been the public response that Nitish yesterday declared that a special force would guard schools during the opening and closing hours. He also asked the men in khaki to occasionally address school assemblies to instil hope and courage in the students shaken by the daring kidnap.

New instructions have also gone out to the school administration, who have been asked to install close-circuit cameras at entrances and keep tabs on the flow of visitors.

Schools have also been asked to provide details and photographs of drivers of school buses.

The chief minister?s suggestion has thrilled students and teachers who feel the measures were long pending.

?We are happy that the government is taking so much interest in our safety. But whether it will actually ensure the end of all kidnappings, we do not know,? said high- school student Manish Kumar.

?The proposed steps will be implemented in whatever form possible. What is important is that both the police and government have taken the law and order problem seriously,? a police officer remarked.

A hopeful chief minister said the proposals were all ?practical suggestions?. ?My government is committed to improving law and order and creating a conducive atmosphere for proper education and development in every field,? said Kumar, who had earlier exhorted his police to prove their superiority over the criminals.

However, yesterday?s mysterious disappearance of the yet another student indicates that much more needs to be done than just providing security outside the school.

Meanwhile, there is no trace of Nirmalendu, who went missing almost two weeks ago from near his house in Phulwarisheif.