Puri: Despite having four sons, an elderly woman is now forced to stay inside a toilet. Though it is not any isolated incident, it has now turned the focus back on whether caring for the elderly has now become a burden especially for their own children.
As per reports, the 82-year-old Dhani Mallick, a native of Saulia village under Gop block of Puri district is forced to live in a toilet after she was allegedly abandoned by her own children. The elderly woman is neglected by her sons following dispute between them over property.
According to sources, Dhani was staying with her eldest son till two months ago. However, now she is living in a toilet which was allotted to her son under Swachh Bharat Mission.
"I was living with my eldest son, but now I am leaving here (in the toilet) for the last two months. I find very difficult to live here as none of my children look after me," said Dhani.
The incident has created resentment among the locals who have now sought local administration's intervention into the matter.
"The elderly woman is neglected by her four sons in the dusk of her life. As her health condition is not good, we request the local administration to take necessary measures for her rehabilitation and care," said Yudhistir Rout, a local resident.
When contacted Gop Tehsildar, Prithviraj Mandal said that they will rescue the woman and legal action will be taken against her sons if needed.
"From media, we came to know about the incident. I will direct the concerned officials to rescue the woman immediately and rehabilitate her in a shelter home or else will hold discussion with her sons to take proper care," informed Mandal.