After nearly three decades without contact, a 79-year-old man long presumed dead by his family returned to his hometown of Khatauli in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar district to collect documents required
for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, where he has been living for many years.
Sharif Ahmad had gone missing in 1997 after moving to West Bengal following his second marriage, which took place after the death of his first wife. His nephew, Waseem Ahmad, told news agency PTI that Sharif arrived in Khatauli on December 29 specifically to obtain documents for the SIR exercise.
“We tried to trace him over the years, even travelled to West Bengal and followed up the address provided by his second wife, but all attempts failed,” Waseem said. “With no contact for decades, his four daughters and the family assumed that he was no longer alive,” he added.
Sharif said his return was prompted by the need to complete formalities related to the SIR exercise in West Bengal, which required him to reconnect with his native place. During his visit, he learnt that several close family members, including his father and brother, had passed away in the intervening years.
According to Waseem, the reunion was emotional for the family. “Seeing him after so many years was a deeply moving experience for all of us,” he said.
After a brief stay in Khatauli, Sharif returned to Medinipur district in West Bengal, where he lives with his family, to complete the remaining SIR formalities.
