West Bengal man with kin 5 years after going missing

CHENNAI: Euphoria, despite being an understatement, that’s the closest word Guddi Devi could find to describe her feelings when she finally met her younger brother, Arnab, who went missing five years ago.
Arnab Kumar Dolio, 30, of Nandanpur in West Bengal got lost after strolling out of his home one day. That he suffered from mental disabilities made it harder to trace him. However, Guddi, who lives in Rajasthan, said, “I staunchly believed that my efforts and prayers would be answered and that Arnab will return someday.”

The Tamil Nadu State Crime Records Bureau (SCRB) and a NGO ensured this, by reuniting him with his sister in Chennai on Friday.

Thahira Zakeer, the SCRB inspector who worked on the case, said, “I feel surreal when I call up these families to inform that their lost loved one is alive and healthy, as many assume they are dead as the years roll by. The reunion is usually enough reason for them to throw celebrations for an entire village,” said SCRB inspector. This is the 133rd success story of the SCRB.

Arnab received counselling and recreational therapy after he was rescued by the East Eden Foundation, that helps those mentally challenged. After four years at the NGO, Arnab regained his memory and information about his family. “After that, I took the help of the West Bengal police to take the case forward. We cross-checked the records and located his family,” said Thahira Zakeer.