Mentally disturbed man chained for 15 years; needs help

Ferozepur, Sep 13 (UNI) A 55-year-old mentally deranged man has been kept chained to a tree for the last 15 years in a village in this district.

Makhan Singh of Peer-ke-Uttad village under Jalalabad sub-division of Ferozepur, lost his mental balance due to family and financial problems, according to his wife Chhindo Bai.

''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, a Dalit.

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.

No administrative official, social organisation or individual of the area has come forward to help Makhan Singh.

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 SK RP AS1847