A mentally challenged youth of Sundargarh has been lying chained in a room of his house since last two years. The family members of the youth have tied him up fearing he might harm others. They do not have the money to provide him advanced treatment either.
Sumanta Kumar Amat(25), a resident of Amatpalli village under lahunipada block of Sundargarh district, is the only son of his parents. While Sumanta was studying in 8th class, his mental illness had started and thereafter his studies were stopped because he had lost his mental balance. Sumanta’s father also passed away at that time. Three sisters of Amat had got married by that time but to look after Sumanta, his youngest sister Mamata did not marry.
looking into the poor condition of the family, the villagers of Amatpali had given some amount for Sumanta’s treatment and Mamata also had sold their land for treatment of Sumanta. She used to take Sumanta to hospital at Rourkela and Ranchi for his treatment but he could not get well. Even doctors at Ranchi had told his family members to take him to a super specialty hospital, but that could not happen due to non availability of funds.
Since Sumanta is mentally challenged, his family members have tied his legs with iron chain and have been keeping him in a room since last two years to ensure that he does not go outside as accident may occur at any time. Recently, brother-in-law of Sumanta and his mother had brought Sumanta outside of his house to go to a temple to offer prayer with a belief that some miracle might happen. Sumanta caught the attention of others with his legs tied. Sumanta, his mother and sister Mamata have been reeling under great hardship, but so far they have not availed any assistance from the Government.
“I have no idea about the mentally challenged youth. I will definitely look into it and see that he gets necessary support from us,” assured local BDO RK Pradhan, when asked.