Susama Tarei, in her 40s, a resident of Mahu village under Aul block, is now a worried woman. The reason is all the family members of her family, except her, have developed insanity. She has been shouldering the responsibility of collecting bread for her mentally deranged husband, a daughter and a son.
According to the ill -fated Susama, her 50-year-old husband Praffula, was a normal human being like others after the marriage. But13 years back, he became mentally deranged .Her 18-year-old son, Sarat, though he was normal till the age of five, also developed insanity. Similarly, her 21-year-old daughter, Rojalin, also suffered partial mental sickness.
Her abject poverty stood as a barrier for the treatment of the trio. Her agony was doubled when the mental sickness and behaviour of her husband and son grew worse and they became violent. As a result, they started attacking the neighbours and fellow villagers without any reason and most of the time they fled the house. Consequently, she was forced to put tie up legs of her husband and son, stated Susama.
Now she has been feeding her insane family members with much difficulty by working as cook at a local school. Earlier, she had applied for an IAY. Though she got work order and a sum of Rs 5,000 to start the house four years back, but she spent the money for the medical treatment of her insane family members and failed to construct a house. Meanwhile, the local administration has given notice to her to return the money.
“What can I doIJ While I am struggling for collecting two square meals for my family members, where would I get money for repaying it to the local administrationIJ “ stated Susama.
Meanwhile, some of the villagers have urged the district administration to release the family members of Susama from shackles and to provide treatment to her mentally sick family members. So far, the district administration has only paid lip services.
When contacted, Aul BDO Ramchandra Jena stated that the matter has recently come to his notice and he along with the local Sub Collector had visited the victim’s house. He assured that steps would be taken for providing treatment to the insane members.