West Tripura (Tripura ) [India], May 9 : A 75-year-old man from the Kanchanmala area in West Tripura district, who had been allegedly subjected to inhumane torture for the past two weeks by his family members was rescued on Wednesday.
The disturbing incident came to light when the villagers protested against the alleged ill-treatment meted out to the old man, identified as Raju Biswas.
The local Gram Panchayat Pradhan Pradeep Kumar Majumder on Wednesday went to the house of victim Raju Biswas (75) to inquire about his health conditions. Biswas was ill for the last two months. When the Panchayat chief went to his house, the shocking condition of Raju Biswas came to his attention.
The old man was lying in a corner of his room when authorities reached his home. There was not a single piece of cloth on his body. In addition, he was roped to the bed.
Speaking to the media after visiting the old man, Panchayat Pradhan Pradeep Kumar Majumder said, "I was told by some of the locals of this neighbourhood that the old man was forced to live in a hell-like situation. Accordingly, as an elected chief of the Panchayat, I have arrived here and seen his condition. I am falling short of words to explain the gravity of the situation. If grown-up children shy away from taking responsibility for their parents, the future seems to be bleak."
The Panchayat Pradhan also informed the media that the victim has four children--two sons and two daughters--but no one was eager to take responsibility.
Describing the incident as a gross violation of human rights, Majumder said, "We have convened an arbitration meeting next Friday to discuss his issue. We know him as a hard-working person and he deserves a dignified life in his last days."
On being contacted later in the evening, the Panchayat Pradhan informed ANI that soon after the matter was taken up with higher authorities, a team of police officials from Amtali police station reached the spot and shifted the ailing person to the local hospital. "After the initial check-up, he was referred to GB Pant Hospital, Agartala for better treatment. I hope his health conditions will improve quickly with timely medical intervention," added Majumder.
According to Majumder, the elderly person suffered multiple injuries after his younger son Mantu Biswas, assaulted him a month ago. The victim's wife played the role of a silent spectator. His elder son, Tapas Biswas, who also stays in the adjacent house, didn't make any efforts to rescue his father from the inhumane torture.
Speaking on the issue, Officer-In-Charge Amtali Police Station, Ranjit Debnath, said, "As soon as the information came to my attention, I sent a team of officers to the spot. They took all the required measures to help the elderly person who had been a victim of domestic violence at the hands of his son."
Sources said the dispute between the father and son worsened after the victim refused to pay for the expenses of the errant son.