Shackled Mintu castes a vacant look sitting on the veranda of his house. Photo:Mintu is chained for 18 years. Family members said they tie him with an iron chain to save themselves from his 'torture'.If untied, he becomes very much angry and starts beating others. He was first tied with an iron chain when he was only 12.
Mintu is now 30.He is son of late Motahar Ali Dhali of Chandrapara village in Baufal upazila in Patuakhali district.This correspondent visited his house recently. Mintu was seen tied with an iron chain and locked with a bamboo pole. Sitting at the veranda, Mintu cast a bleak look at this correspondent. He is the youngest among two sons and a daughter of Motahar Ali who died last year.
Family members said when Mintu was 12 he started 'abnormal behavior' with them and neighbors. He often beat others severely without any cause. Locals claimed that Mintu caught the sight of an evil force, which is beyond cure. Family members claimed that they took the help of sorcerers several times but to no effect. Some locals said he might be suffering from mental disease.
His family also arranged treatment but in vain. Finally, to save themselves and others, they kept him shackled. Mintu's mother Chahar Begum said, “It is my luck. Now, with his father gone, I can not afford to arrange better treatment for him. My other son is busy with his family.”