LIVE TV
Odisha
Puri: At the very first look, his innocence will melt your heart. However, life has been really harsh for 8-year-old Akash. It is now over 6 years that Akash is leading a chained life at Kolar village under Gop block of Puri district.
A small temporary cot-like structure outside his house is the place where Akash spends bulk of his time staring at his mother and others visiting his family. Be it scorching heat or pounding rain, one will find Akash sitting on the cot with his hands and legs tied.
Akash was only two years old when his parents realized that he is ‘mentally unsound.’ Though efforts were made by Akash’s family to treat him by consulting with local doctors and experts at SCB Medical College and Hospital, nothing much changed as money emerged as a major obstacle for the hapless family.
“My son is unable to understand things and runs here and there. We have no other option than to keep him confined,” said Akash’s mother, Jhili Kandi.
The villagers have demanded that the administration should extend all help to the family and ensure that the minor boy gets necessary treatment. “We want that the child gets necessary treatment as the family is unable to arrange the funds,” said Manu Kandi, a local resident.
When contacted, Gop Tehsildar Prithviraj Mandal said, “I came to know about the incident from OTV. I will review the matter and take steps to provide some assistance from the Red Cross Fund. Similarly, we will urge the administration for the treatment of the boy.”
