Attabira: The Bargarh district administration Friday swung into action and extended a helping hand to Lilima (16) of Jhumupudipada village under Attabira block who has been living a wretched life — in chains for the past six years.
Directed by the administration, a medical team, an NGO from Sambalpur and officials of local CHC visited the village after her plight was published by OrissaPOST.
The doctors including Bhismadev Bhoi, Rita Biswal and ICDA field inspector Pankajini Biswal, Pharmacist Sanjiv Das, nurses Anjali Banka, G Satapathy and Snehalata Mishra held a discussion with the girl’s widowed mother and assured necessary help.
The doctors prepared a preliminary report and promised to bear all treatment cost after discussion with the district Collector and Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO). The team provided some compensation to the family before leaving the village.
According to sources, Chandrakanti, only daughter of Arjun Bag (61) and Brundabati (59), had married Bikram Bhorasagar of Karalajuri village under Kamgaon panchayat in Bargarh district.
They were parents to Lilima and Kamalini and earned a livelihood by doing odd jobs. However, things turned worse after Bikram was afflicted with some mental illness and passed away, leaving the responsibility of the two girls to Chandrakanti.
Adding to the woes of Chandrakanti, Lilima was also afflicted with mental illness after the demise of her father. After selling the little property that Bikram had left behind, Chandrakanti took the two girls and moved to her parents’ house.
Her elderly parents, Arjun and Brundabati, tried their best to get their granddaughter treated, but nothing worked. With no option left, the family kept Lilima chained in a house so she could not run away.
Financial constraints came in the way of treatment of the girl, forcing her family members to keep her in shackles.
Despite being unable to see her daughter in such a pathetic condition, Chandrakanti had little option. She sold all her belongings for Lilima’s treatment, but there was no improvement in her condition.
Locals, sympathetic towards Lilima, had earlier demanded that the administration extend a helping hand to the hapless girl.
“Our granddaughter would get a new lease of life, if the administration helps in her treatment,” Lilima’s grandfather said.
