Cluny Convent School, near which a Class X girl was almost abducted by a gang of boys on Thursday morning, turned into a fortress in 24 hours flat.

A PCR van remained stationed in front of the NH-33 campus in Dipatoli, Ranchi; a hawk-eyed cop with a hotline to the control room frowned at every dubious outsider venturing too close to students; a notice hung on the main gate apprised parents that the campus would henceforth open at 7.45am, only for half an hour before classes begin; and the principal issued an safety advisory to children, particularly girls.

The 15-year-old student, daughter of a small-time transporter, however skipped school on Friday. Her father said she was still terrified over what had happened. "She is refusing to join classes before next week, but we are trying to boost her morale. We hope she will attend school tomorrow (Saturday)," he added.

A group of junkies, three of them minors, had been stalking the teenager for three days. On Thursday, the boys had yanked her by the collar in an attempt to whisk her away, but were stopped by an alert school management. Three among the five accused were also arrested.

School principal Sister Dibya said she had instructed security guards to keep strict vigil and keep tease gangs at bay. "The school gate will open for only half an hour before the beginning and after the end of classes to allow students to enter and exit."

On her advisory to students, the principal said she had asked boys and girls to go home directly after classes instead of hanging out with friends. "It is better if the children come to campus and leave accompanied. In cases where that is not feasible, students must move in groups. Also, they have been requested to attend karate lessons imparted on the campus every week," she added.

Cluny Convent has further asked parents to be vigilant when they accompany students to school. "Parents must not insist on entering the campus every now and then. They must understand that safety of children is our priority. Unwanted outsiders can sneak in posing as a parent," the principal said.

Sister Dibya, however, expressed her concern over the absence of the Class X girl.

"Her fear will feed the audacity of her tormentors. The campus is safer now and we are willing to extend all support. She should not missed her classes," the principal said, adding that the student was also chosen for a singing contest on Independence Day and the school was looking forward to her participation.

A police officer manning the PCR van said they were diligently performing their additional assignment. "We are here to keep tease gangs, kidnappers and junkies at bay. Schoolchildren need not fear."

Parents of Cluny Convent and adjoining Surendranath Centenary School remained extra vigilant too.

Dhelatoli resident Reena Devi made it a point that she picked up her daughter, a Class IX student of Surendranath, from school on Friday. "What happened at Cluny can happen anywhere. I reached on time so that my child didn't have to wait alone," she said.

Booty More homemaker Pummy Devi, whose daughter is a seventh grader at Surendranath, said the PCR van near the campus made her sigh in relief.

Rinki Lohia, a resident of Bariatu Housing Colony and mother of a Class III boy of the same cradle, said security around schools should always be foolproof. "Regular patrolling and traffic control near campuses must be made mandatory."