Chained man rescued after 30 yrs
The upazila administration of Pakundia in Kishoreganj has rescued a man, who had been kept in shackles in a small room for long 30 years.
The victim, Ratan Mia, 55, son of late Abdul Momen of Dakkhin Shatiadi village in Pakundia, was chained after he had ‘mental problems’ due to head injuries at the age of 25, said his elder brother Angur Mia, 60.
There are allegations that Angur Mia, a farmer, did the inhuman treatment to his brother to grab the latter’s share of ancestral property.
As the story went viral on Facebook, Pakundia Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Nahid Hasan went to the spot on Monday, rescued Ratan and arranged his admission to Pakundia Upazila Health Complex.
“We found Ratan in a serious condition as he had been suffering from serious malnutrition for long,” said the UNO.
“Some 30 years ago, he accidentally sustained serious injuries in the head, being hit by a bamboo stick,” the UNO quoted the neighbours as saying.
“Ratan’s brother Angur Mia said they chained Ratan as the latter sometimes went violent due to mental problem. He claimed that he tried his best for his brother’s treatment in Kishoreganj but could not afford his better treatment outside. We are investigating into the claims of Angur,” he said.
Locals alleged that neighbours were not allowed to meet Ratan at the small room where he was chained. Meanwhile, his parents died 20 years ago.
“There was no light or fan at the room from where Ratan was rescued. A plastic pan was kept at the room for bathroom purposes,” said Jewel Mia, member of local Patuabhanga union parisha (UP).
“Once Ratan was popular among the villagers for the mesmerising tone of his flute and he reared pigeons as a hobby. But the long confinement has ruined his life,” he said.
“Angur did this to his brother possibly to grab the latter’s share of paternal land,” said UP Chairman Mohammad Shahabuddin.
The villagers have demanded proper investigation into the matter and punishment of the perpetrators.
Kishoreganj Civil Surgeon Dr Habibur Rahman, who inquired into the condition of Ratan at Pakundia Upazila Health Complex, termed the incident as a gross violation of human rights.
“Ratan is still very weak. Necessary medicines and quality diets are being given to him free of cost and his condition is improving. He has no psychological problem and hopefully he will be back to normal life soon,” said the civil surgeon.
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