BSF troops unite with daughter after one-and-half year

Our Correspondent

Silchar: On October 18, 2018, BSF troops found an old lady of about 70 years sitting at a secluded place all alone near border out post Sutarkandi in Karimgnaj district. When asked about her identity, she spoke in a language which could not be understood by BSF Jawans. But they could speculate that she was speaking a south Indian language. Troops from South India talked to her. One Kannada knowing Jawan constable Sahil Zabiulla understood the language and identified her to be from Karnataka. The constable informed his Company Commander Chotu Lal, Assistant Commandant about the lady.

The Company Commander reached the spot and talked to the old lady through Constable Sahil and prepared a small video interaction. BSF officer came to know that the old lady was Jaymma, wife of Lakshame Gowda, a resident of village Mandiganahalli, police station and district Hassan in Karnataka. The video and photo of the helpless lady was uploaded on social media. Simultaneously, Company Commander established contact with police station at Hassan. The lady was immediately provided warm clothes and food and kept in a house of a civilian at border village for her safety.

On October 23, 2018, Panchayat ward member named Santosh who saw the video and photo identified the old lady and informed her daughter named Sunanda. Thereafter, he informed police station as well. Since the Company Commander was already in contact with police a video calling was arranged between mother and daughter on same day. The daughter could immediately identify her mother. The scene was charged with lot of emotions. The daughter informed that she was missing from home since last 18 months. It seems that the lady boarded the Hamsafar train which runs from Bengaluru and Agartala and by mistake came up to Assam but could not convey anybody due to language barrier.

On October 21, 2018 Sunanda started from Bangalore by flight and reached border out post Sutarkandi on October 22, 2018 at about 1 pm and she met her mother. After having lunch at BSF Camp, both were taken to Karimganj accompanied by Constable Sahil Zabiulla who also belonged to Karnataka. He accompanied them upto Guwahati by road and then the mother and her daughter took flight to Bangalore. During the stay near the Border out post from October 18 to October 22, the old lady was provided comfortable accommodation, clothing and food by the BSF Troops of 7 Bn BSF deployed under Mizoram and Cachar Frontier. Due to prompt and humane efforts of BSF troops, a lost mother could be united with the family after one and half year. The effort was highly lauded by the family members.