Missing for 22 years, Tamil Nadu man reunited with family in Patiala

Prakasam, a native of Aruppukottai in Tamil Nadu's Virudhunagar district, who went missing in 2003 after leaving home at age 16 following a quarrel with his younger brother, was reunited with his family in Patiala on Tuesday.

He was allegedly forced to work as a bonded labourer at a brick kiln in Amritsar, Punjab, and was rescued by the NGO Apna Farz Sewa Society in 2022.

The reunion was made possible by the efforts of the NGO, a retired Haryana government official Subhash Chander, journalist Muthaiah, and the district administrations of Patiala and Coimbatore.

Prakasam's mother Sundari, who had shifted to Coimbatore, was traced through the investigation, leading to the emotional reunion.

Patiala deputy commissioner Himanshu Aggarwal directed officials to ensure Prakasam receives all compensation and rehabilitation benefits, and legal proceedings will be initiated against those accused of keeping him in bonded labour.