Boy separated from family in Guna reunited after 2 years with help from police and social workers

BHOPAL: A nine-year-old boy who was living in a children’s home in Katni for two years was finally reunited with his family in Guna on Wednesday night. The reunion was made possible by the efforts of the Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU) and local social workers.

The boy reached Katni in June 2023 after getting separated from his family in Guna. Barely seven at the time, he was admitted to Asha Kiran Bal Griha.During counselling, he repeatedly mentioned “Guna” and pleaded to be taken home. His despair was such that he even attempted self-harm, say police. On July 15 this year, Katni’s Women and Child Development Department informed SJPU Guna about the child. Unit in-charge Anil Singh Tomar checked missing records across police stations but found no match.

The boy was briefly brought to Guna in August 2024, but he failed to recognise anyone and had to return to Katni.Moved by his plight, Tomar formed a team with social workers who began showing his photographs in Guna’s villages and publicising details on social media. The breakthrough came in Haripura (Todi) village under Dharnavada police station, where locals recognised the child. His grandfather confirmed that the boy was living with him while his parents worked in Maharashtra.

The child disappeared two years ago, and after failing to trace him, the family presumed him dead.The father, contacted through the grandfather, broke down on seeing his son’s photograph and confirmed his identity. The boy too recognised his father’s picture and began crying. The child was then formally brought back to Guna and reunited with his family in the presence of SP Ankit Soni on Wednesday night. Overcome with emotion, the boy ran into the arms of his father and grandfather.