Bhubaneswar, Aug 11 - A 16-year-old youth passed himself off as a girl and lived almost two weeks in a hostel for destitute women in Orissa's Bolangir district before his actual identity was detected by inmates, who informed the police.

According to the police, the 'girl', claiming to be Mam Sao, an orphan, approached the railway police at the Bolangir railway station and sought help. They decided to send 'her' to Shradhashram - a hostel for destitute women.

'He came to us seeking help. He was wearing a jeans and top and his appearance was like a girl. So we decided to send the 'girl' to the Shradhashram,' said Mujibur Rehman, the officer in charge of the police at the railway station.

The youth was staying in the hostel since July 29 without raising suspicion.