Rajesh Rai | Phuentsholing

An anti-human trafficking non-governmental organisation (NGO) operating in North Bengal and Sikkim, India, found a mentally challenged man from Khoma, Lhuentse, wandering in Jalpaiguri.

The founder of the NGO Duars Expressmail, Raju Nepali found the man near Bagrakote Mes village of Malbazar on February 26.

Dorji Wangdi, 62, was brought to Phuentsholing from Jaigaon yesterday morning.

Sources from across the border said he was seen in several towns of Malbazar, Salugara, Kalimpong, Mangpu, and Darjeeling.

They also said he survived two elephant attacks near Mongpu (Near Coronation Bridge, Sevoke), India.




According to an official in Phuentsholing, he was found loitering, unable to find his way back home.

“After confirming his identity through his relative in Khoma, Raju Nepali was requested to take care of him for the night and bring him to the gate.”

Dorji Wangdi was brought to the gate around 11am yesterday. He was put into quarantine. All rescuing expenses were borne by Phuentsholing drungkhag administration.

Kuensel was able to get in touch with his relative, Sangay Wangmo in Khoma.

She said Dorji Wangdi is 62 years old; was a monk before and even stayed as a tshampa.

“He became mentally unsound later.”

Sangay Wangmo said he is not married and doesn’t have children.

She said it has been two years since Dorji Wangdi started his wandering. “He used to come and stayed for a few times at home, about a month or more, before wandering off again.”




She said officials called her yesterday. “They said they will send him here once the quarantine period is over. But there is no guarantee he will live with us as he keeps wandering off.”