Take care of mentally-challenged: NGO

Tribune News Service

Shimla, February 15

Ajai Srivastava, chairperson, Umang Foundation, a charitable trust, yesterday accused the district administration in the state of not taking care of mentally-challenged persons languishing in rain shelters or on the roadside as mandated under the Mental Health Act, 1987.

Addressing a press conference here, Srivastava claimed that the foundation had launched a campaign in the state to ensure the psychiatric treatment of mentally-challenged persons. “But the response from the police and administration is not good,” he claimed.

In a letter to the state Chief Secretary VC Pharka, Srivastava said the government was duty-bound to protect legal and human rights of shelterless mentally ill persons. A statewide drive should be started with the help of local NGOs to locate them, he added.

He urged the government to increase the intake capacity of the state mental hospital to accommodate more patients. “A sensitisation programme about the mental health Act should also be started at all levels in the police department,” he said.

He said two mentally challenged persons in Paonta Sahib town had no shelter, but the Sirmaur district administration was not bothered. He said the Shimla DC had sent one special person directly to the old-age home without taking him under police protection and presenting before a judicial magistrate which was mandatory under the Act. Another special person near the Vidhan Sabha had not been rescued though he had been identified, he claimed.

He claimed a mentally-challenged person from Bayal village near Rampur project was fending for himself. Rakesh Kanwar, DC, Solan, and Tashi Sandup, SDM of Theog in Shimla district, took prompt action and rescued one person each in their respective areas and followed the legal procedure.

Srivastava claimed a mentally-challenged man remained in the shelter near Chamakadi Pul on the Shimla-Bilaspur road and he was in need of immediate medical help. Sanjay Thakur, owner of a dhaba, was taking care of him these days, he added.