At last mentally challenged Shukjan Nesa Brishti has been freed from chains along with treatment facilities, thanks to the initiative of Chatmohar upazila nirbahi officer (UNO).

UNO Sarkar Ashim Kumar along with officials visited Brishti at her home yesterday morning and arranged sending her to Pabna Mental Hospital on an ambulance. 

The 15-year-old girl has been kept chained for the last 10 years at the home of her maternal grandmother Rahela Begum at Dhankunia village in Pabna's Chatmohar due to her unstable mental conditions.

The Daily Star on May 4 published a story headlined 'A life in chains', depicting her plight.

“Brishti's mother died during her birth and her father remarried later. She has been living with me since then. If left on her own, the girl wanders about at the village, causing nuisance. As I can't afford her treatment, she was kept chained at home,” Rahela said.

Dr Dilwara Hasan, clinical assistant of Pabna Mental Hospital, said, “Brishti will need long time treatment. She was given medicine and prescription for one month treatment and sent home with arrangement to observe her condition.”

“The Chatmohar upazila administration has taken the responsibility of her treatment. An official has been given the charge to provide her medicine and monitor her treatment progress,” the UNO said.

Her house would be reconstructed with sanitary latrine facility soon, he added.