Shahan Ali, chained for 24 years in Durgapur, has not received advanced treatment

Shahan Ali is an inhumane reality in Netrokona's Durgapur upazila. He is now 30 years old, but he has been chained for the past 24 years. Due to mental imbalance that appeared in his childhood, he has not been able to return to a normal life even today.

Shahan Ali is the son of Abdul Majid Mia, a farmer from Thapnargati village in ward number 2 of Chandigarh union of the upazila. According to family sources, when Shahan was only six years old, his body started having seizures and abnormal behavior. He gradually lost his mental balance. Since then, family members were forced to tie him up - sometimes his hands, sometimes his feet, and sometimes his entire body had to be tied up in chains and ropes for 24 hours.

Locals said that Shahan used to go to school at one time. But suddenly his seizures and mental abnormalities started increasing. Although he was seen by a doctor, there was no permanent treatment other than temporary medication. Since the family was financially weak, they could not afford the cost of advanced treatment. As a result, he has to spend years in the same condition, chained.

Shahan's mother said, "The boy was very calm as a child. Suddenly, one day, he started having seizures. Since then, he has been getting worse day by day. We have seen many doctors, visited many places, but we have not been able to take him to any big hospital due to lack of money. Now, if he is not tied up, he will harm himself."

A neighbor in the village said, "We have been seeing him like this for a long time. His parents are living a very difficult life. If someone from the government or society extends a helping hand, maybe the boy will be able to return to a normal life."

Local public representatives claim that the administration's cooperation is needed so that Shahan Ali can get better treatment quickly. According to mental health experts, if such mental illnesses are left untreated for a long time, the patient's condition deteriorates further. Many people recover completely with proper medication and therapy.

A doctor at Durgapur Upazila Health Complex said, "Such patients need regular treatment, psychological counseling and family support. If they can be treated properly, the possibility of recovery cannot be ruled out."

Locals drew the attention of the administration and said, “Keeping a man chained for 24 years is a gross violation of human rights. Now is the time to take steps to free Shahan Ali.”

If Shahan Ali can be brought under the umbrella of advanced medical treatment after ending his two-decade long life in chains, then perhaps a glimmer of light will be seen in his life again. A new dawn is possible in the life of this tortured young man only if he gets humanitarian initiatives and administrative support.