Woman Missing for 15 Years Reunited with Family in Singur After Police and HAM Radio Intervention
In a heartwarming turn of events, a 68-year-old woman suffering from memory loss, who had been missing for an astonishing 15 years, was successfully reunited with her family in Singur, Hooghly district. This remarkable reunion was made possible through the joint efforts of local police and dedicated HAM radio operators, who stepped in after the woman was detained in Gangasagar amid widespread rumours of child-lifters circulating in the area.
Panic and Suspicion Lead to Detention
According to police reports, panic had gripped parts of Gangasagar under the Sundarbans police district in recent days due to unfounded rumours that child-lifters were active in the locality. Local residents in Bankimnagar and surrounding areas noticed an elderly woman wandering aimlessly and behaving in a manner they deemed suspicious. When questioned, she was unable to provide clear answers about her identity or whereabouts, which only intensified the community's fears and suspicions.
"She failed to give any clear answers, which further fuelled doubts among the residents," explained a senior officer from Sagar Police Station. Believing she might be involved in child-lifting activities, the locals took her into custody and promptly informed the police. Officers from Sagar PS quickly intervened, rescuing her from the agitated crowd and bringing her to the police station for further investigation and her own safety.
Identification Through HAM Radio Network
During initial questioning, it became evident that the woman was mentally unstable and suffering from significant memory loss, rendering her incapable of recalling basic personal details. "During interrogation, it became clear that the woman was mentally unstable and unable to recall basic details about herself," the police officer added. Faced with this challenge, the police turned to Ambarish Nag Biswas, secretary of the West Bengal Radio Club (WBRC), for assistance.
The WBRC's HAM radio operators are well-known for their expertise in tracing missing persons and facilitating reunions with families. "After making several inquiries, the HAM radio operators identified her as Chhobi Jyoti, a resident of Dighaldanga village under Mirzapur-Bankimpur gram panchayat in Singur PS area of Hooghly district," Nag Biswas confirmed. Divas Mondal, an enthusiastic member of the HAM radio network, detailed how they contacted Singur police station to verify the information and locate the woman's family.
Emotional Reunion After Long Separation
With the woman's identity established, police arranged a video call between Chhobi Jyoti and her son, Surajit. The emotional moment was immediate and profound, as both mother and son recognised each other instantly, bridging a gap of nearly 15 years. Surajit recounted that his mother had disappeared sometime after his father's death, leaving the family in a state of prolonged uncertainty and grief.
The long-awaited reunion culminated on Tuesday when Surajit, accompanied by other relatives, arrived at Sagar Police Station to bring his mother back home to Singur. This case highlights the critical role of community collaboration and technology in addressing social issues, demonstrating how police and volunteer networks like HAM radio operators can work together to achieve positive outcomes in challenging situations.
