Redhakhol: In a tragic incident, a man breathed his last Sunday awaiting the arrival of his son for the past 10 months.
The deceased man, identified as Ganga Bhoi, died at his home in Badmal village under Redhakhol block in Sambalpur district. His son, Trilochan Bhoi, unfortunately could not make it to the deathbed of his father as he was engaged as a bonded labourer in far-off Tamil Nadu.
Adding to the family’s woes, Trilochan’s wife Pramila Bhoi was left in distress with no one to take care of her children. She was left behind with two minor children and her elderly mother-in-law Amruti Bhoi. Meanwhile, Amruti’s health condition began to deteriorate after the death of Ganga. Family members were even unable to inform Trilochan of his father’s death.
According to sources, Trilochan was lured by a person with the promise of good pay to work as a bonded labourer in Tamil Nadu. Believing him, he along with five other youths of the village and neighbouring villages left for Tamil Nadu where they were later made to work at a granite factory in Tirunelveli district.
Shockingly, Trilochan’s whereabouts have remained unknown since then. While all other workers managed to return home, Trilochan was nowhere to be seen. His co-workers said he fled from the workplace and that they were clueless about his whereabouts.
Pramila has now lodged a missing person’s complaint with the local police station.
At the orders of Sambalpur SP Akhileswar Singh, a team including Badmal outpost officer Santunu Behera along with bonded labourer middleman Ramchandra Karna visited the granite factory and carried out a raid to find Trilochan.
However, the police team had to return in vain after they failed to trace Trilochan, sources said. Since then, his family members are awaiting his arrival.
However, even after 10 months of his disappearance, Trilochan was not found.
Family members did not even receive a phone call regarding whether he was alive or not.
Awaiting his son’s return, the sole breadwinner Ganga breathed his last leaving his family in distress. Locals sympathised with the bereaved family and demanded government assistance for them. PNN
