Dalit Man bound with tree for 15 years

Ferozepur, Sep13 (UNI) Makhan Singh, a 55-year-old Dalit is openly being kept chained to a tree for about 15 years in Peer-ke-Uttad village under Jalalabad sub-division in this district.

No official, social organisation or individual of the area has come forward to help Makhan Singh, who, according to his wife Chhindo Bai, lost his mental balance due to family and financial problems about twenty five years ago.

''I even sold off the 1 acre of land that we had on the treatment of my husband at Sri Ganganagar, Faridkot, Abohar and many other places but to no avail,'' says Chhindo showing a bunch of prescriptions.

Chhindo Bai said they had three children, who were married and worked as daily wagers to eke out their living. She also worked as daily wager to look after her ailing husband.

She said her husband, who had been mentally sick for the past 25 years, started turning violent some 15 years ago. ''He even attacked people with stones, leaving us with no other option but to keep him chained,'' she said.

She said that earlier they used to tie him up only when leaving for work, but when his condition deteriorated, they chained him permanently.

Demanding financial help from the administration, Chhindo Bai said they were in deep crisis as she could no longer work hard to eke out a living and manage treatment for her husband.

When contacted, Jasdeep Singh Aulakh, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Jalalabad said he was not aware of the issue. He, however assured that he would look into the matter and would arrange medical treatment for Makhan Singh.

UNI XC JN MMS1805