Odisha man returns home from Pak jail after 12 years

Benudhar Pradhan of Bhagirathpur village under police station of Athgarh , Cuttack district left his home after a quarrel with family members never thought what is in stock for him next. He went to Cuttack then to Delhi and without any knowledge with an impulse boarded Samjhouta Express which was leaving for Lahore. He was illiterate thus did not have any idea of the technicality and formality of visiting Pakistan. Upon his arrival, he was arrested by police and was sent to jail. Like him other 12 persons were also arrested in violating rules.

Unable to speak any language other than Odiya his life was miserable in jail and gradually he lost his mental balance. Even his memory became so faint that he forgot about himself , his identity. With such anguish he spent long twelve years and suffered an inhuman, painful life. His father Narayan Pradhan told that they were being informed by two police men from Delhi that their son is alive but imprisoned at Pakistan Jail . We thought that our son is no more but were relieved knowing that he is alive but were traumatized realizing his present state of affairs .

November 16 last year, in a goodwill gesture Pakistan government released all the twelve Indians from the jail. He was spotted by Red Cross Society, Amritsar along with other three unfortunate men who have all in the meantime became mentally retarded. Unable to communicate any thing of his whereabouts or details the Red Cross Society gathered the information from Benudhar that he is from Cuttack .

Thakur Ranbir Singh, Secretary of Amritsar Red cross told that it took more than a month to locate his family members through Red Cross Society, Bhubaneswar. Prior to that his photograph was sent to all state asking for details of him and finally his family members came and took him back . Dr. Mangala Prasad Mahanty , Secretary of Bhubaneswar Red Cross Society told that both Amritsar and Bhubaneswar branch performed a commendable job in getting back the lost son and the family was reunited .

The parents are very happy so also the villagers and they expressed their gratitude to almighty God and Red Cross Society .