Vinay Kumar
Rourkela: A Sundargarh man who was missing for 18 years was reunited with his family here on Tuesday after being rescued from Jammu & Kashmir, where he was allegedly forced to work as a bonded labourer and prevented from leaving. His rescue was made possible after J&K police acted on information shared by their Odisha counterparts.Purushottam Goud, now 31, was overwhelmed with emotion as he hugged his mother’s sister, cousin and other relatives at Rourkela railway station. Neighbours later welcomed him at his native place with garlands.Purushottam had been living with his aunt and extended family at Sonaparvat Ganjutola under Suidihi panchayat in Lathikata block. He was 13 and studying in Class VIII when a truck driver from the area allegedly lured him with a job offer and took him to J&K.Police said he was first made to work as a labourer in one household and later kept at the home of businessman Kuldeep Gupta in Samba district, where he was allegedly treated like a bonded labourer. He was forced to do manual work and even drive vehicles, while being kept in confinement.His family searched extensively after he went missing and lodged a complaint at the local police station, but there was no breakthrough. Over time, both his parents died. In 2022, Purushottam managed to call home — having memorised the family’s mobile number — and informed them he was trapped in J&K. His aunt, Ulasi, tried seeking help then but did not receive adequate support, family members said.In Jan this year, Purushottam again called home from someone else’s mobile phone, giving his exact location and pleading to be rescued. His aunt approached local sarpanch, Aruna Irani Kishan, who took up the matter with Raghunathpali MLA Durga Charan Tanti. The MLA wrote to DIG (western range) Brijesh Rai, following which Tangarpali police initiated the rescue process.A constable from Tangarpali police station travelled to Samba, where, in coordination with Rajpura police, Purushottam was rescued and handed over to Odisha police.Purushottam was accompanied by his cousin and police constable. He speaks only Hindi and local language in J&K, having forgotten Odia. “I had remembered the mobile number of my home and that helped me contact them. I am very happy to be reunited with my family after 18 years,” said Purushottam.His niece, Mina Banchhor, said, “Getting him back is a blessing.”
