Bangladeshi social worker helps reunite missing Indian man with family after decade

Indian authorities have confirmed the identity and nationality of a missing man from Odisha who was recently rescued in Bangladesh, and steps are being taken to facilitate his repatriation, officials said.

Sudam Hembram, a mentally unwell resident of Jagannathpur village in Mayurbhanj district, Odisha, had been missing for nearly a decade before being found in Bangladesh on 20 October, says the Times of India.

He was rescued by Bangladeshi social worker Md Abdul Goni Fitu, who discovered him in distress at Golabari railway station in Chapai Nawabganj district. After arranging treatment, Goni obtained clues about Hembram's origins and, with the help of ham radio clubs in India and Bangladesh, managed to contact his family. Hembram's nephew, Subhas Chandra Hembram, identified him as the missing relative.

Following the report of his discovery in The Times of India, the Mayurbhanj district administration began procedures to confirm his nationality. District collector Hema Kanta Say submitted a report to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka verifying that Hembram is an Indian citizen and a resident of Jagannathpur under Badasahi police station limits.

The confirmation letter, addressed to Kalyan Kumar Haldar of the Indian High Commission, stated that Hembram's nationality had been verified through the district superintendent of police, tehsildar, and block development officer. He also holds an elector's photo identity card.

Social activist Utpal Roy from Kolkata is coordinating with officials from both India and Bangladesh to complete the repatriation process. Authorities are awaiting final approval from both governments before moving ahead.

Plans call for the Odisha government to assist Hembram's family in traveling to the Bangladesh border to receive him. Arrangements have also been requested to provide temporary accommodation for his relatives at Utkal Bhawan in Kolkata during the process.