Babita Yadav tied with a metal chain

RAJBIRAJ, May 11: It's been twelve years since Babita Yadav, 28, of Bishnupur Rural Municipality-6 has been tied to a metal chain and locked inside a room. It's not that her family members are doing this to hurt or torture her but they are obliged to do so for her own welfare.

"No one can even imagine how my heart aches when I have to lock my younger sister inside a room by tying her with chains," said Bisheswor Yadav, brother of Babita, adding, "Unfortunately, I have no other option."

According to him, his sister who is struggling with mental illness since the last 12 years starts tearing her clothes, running away from home, breaking and smashing things when she is left free.

"We don't like tying her with chains but at least she is safe this way and we have been able to provide her food on time," said Bisheshwar, adding, "We, at least don't have to think about where and how she is when we lock her inside the room."

Babita was not born with mental illness. In 2005, her family arranged her marriage with Agnidev Yadav of Belhi Chapena Rural Municipality-6. She started suffering from mental problem after two/three days of getting married, according to her family members.

"Her husband returned her to us three days after their wedding and never returned to take her back," said Bisheshwar.So far, Bisheswar's family has spent around Rs 600,000 for her treatment but still there has been no improvement in her health. They had managed the money by selling their land and now they have nothing left for her treatment. Bisheshwar, who is the sole bread winner of the family, has been struggling to manage two square meals for his family of eight. He laments that the miserable condition of his family has still not caught the eyes of his neighbors or relatives. "We have done as much as we could but my earning is not enough," he laments.

He has urged the family members and kin of her husband to provide some financial help for her treatment.

Caption: Babita Yadav tied with metal chain.