A man from Jharkhand, reported missing since the national lockdown last year and presumed dead by his family members, was reunited with his near and dear ones in Simdega due to the efforts of a Telangana-based NGO. Marcus, a resident of Chhattakahu in Kurdeg block of Simdega district, had gone to work in Goa in February 2020, officials said.
During the coronavirus pandemic lockdown in March 2020, he too was returning home like other migrant labourers. But Marcus reached Khammam district of Telangana instead of arriving at his state.
Unable to find any shelter in a strange place during the lockdown, and subjected to abuse by people, the 45-year-old man lost his mental balance, and was handed over by the district administration to an NGO run by Dr Annam Srinivasan.
10 days back, Marcus could recall his name and address, following which the NGO contacted the local authorities, Additional District Judge Madhuresh Kumar Verma said on Thursday.
His joy knew no bounds when he was handed over to his brother in the Civil Court in the presence of the Additional District Judge and Chief Judicial Magistrate Anandmani Tripathi on Thursday.
Seeing both the brothers happy n joyful, everyone present in the court turned emotional.
The family, which had presumed him dead after receiving no information about him for 16 months, cheered after getting him back.
The relieved family members said the organisation of Dr Annam Srinivasan was a godsend for them, as the efforts and treatment by the NGO resulted in an improvement of the condition of Marcus following which he could recollect everything.
The NGO also gave Rs 25,000 to the man.
