Puri: Ramchandra Rout, a mentally challenged man who had been chained for 18 years at his house at Parbatipur Paika Sahi under Sadar block, was rescued and admitted at SCB Medical College and Hospital. He has been missing from SCBMCH since October 9.
Most importantly, even though Neelachal Seva Pratisthan, which was initially treating Ramchandra, had lodged a missing report with Mangalabag police station the same day, it did not report to the district administration about Ramchandra going missing.
It was when Ramchandra was rescued by the district administration, the family members were hopeful that their son would soon return to them after treatment. But then they were not aware of what the future would have for them and for Ramchandra as well.
According to district social security officer Trinath Padhi, the district administration with the help of a local social organization had rescued Ramchandra who was kept in chains by his family members. They were forced to do so due to his abnormal activities.
After his rescue, he was kept at Neelachal Seva Pratisthan for his treatment. For better treatment, he was shifted to the department of psychiatry of SCBMCH. The department required Ramchandra’s COVID-19 test. It was when he was being taken for the test that he went absconding.
On not being able to trace him, the staff of Neelachal Seva Pratisthan lodged a missing report with Mangalabag police station October 9. SCBMCH also lodged a separate missing report.
“After coming to know about Ramchandra from a social activist only November 7, I contacted Neelachal Seva Pratisthan and the authorities there then informed me about the incident,” said Padhi.
When asked what steps have so far been taken, Padhi said the Neelachal Seva Pratisthan has been asked to file a detailed report about the incident.
When contacted, Neelachal Seva Pratisthan’s secretary Subash Gajendra said they had lodged a missing report with Mangalabag police station after Ramchandra went missing. “We had also informed the district social security officer about the incident over the phone the same day. But we had not done this in writing,” admitted Gajendra.
It is going to be a month since Ramchandra went missing. The questions arising are why the SCBMCH authorities or the Neelachal Seva Pratisthan did not inform the district administration about Ramchandra’s disappearance. The family has also wanted to know what steps the police have so far taken to find Ramchandra out.
PNN