Man in shackles for two decades

Kendrapada, Nov 15 (UNI) For the past two decades, 56-year-old mentally deranged Ananta Charan Dash, a resident of Hanumantapala village, has been confined in a room.

With his legs in fetters, Ananta was waiting patiently for his release from shackles. He was forced to live with shackles in his two legs after the villagers complained of his insane behaviour.

His wife Sarathi Dash(49) said they had failed to provide medical treatment for Ananta's psychotic disorder disease. She recalled her spouse,father of three children, was leading a normal life two decades back but later developed insanity and became mentally sick and violent.

Ananta started attacking the villagers without any cause and most of the time he fled from his house for which they had no option but to put chain on his two legs.

She said her father-in-law had sold four acres of land to meet the medical expenses but in vain. They then decided to keep him in shackles in the house. The family condition turned worse with the demise of her father-in-law in 1990, Sarathi said.

Ananta's two sons - Akshya (28) and Abhaya (26) - are working as labourers in jobs to support the family.

Local villagers have urged the district administration to release Anata from the shackles and admit him in a hospital but the district administration has turned deaf ear to their woes .

As per the SCB Medical College and Hospital report, Annanta had been suffering from substance abuse psychotic disorder and needed regular treatment to cure from the insanity.

The Lunacy Act and Mental Health Act stipulated that a person will be declared as insane by a medical board and the district judge is the competent person to declare him as an insane person legally after relying on the report of the board.

The court will then appoint a guardian to look after the property of the insane person.

UNI XC DP SJC PA DB0918