By IANS
Jaipur : A mentally challenged boy is being kept captive, in his own home, by his parents because they cannot afford his treatment.
Salman, 13, a resident of the walled city here has several times tried to run away from his home and has been kept in confinement by his parents. Some times he is even tied with a rope.
Salman’s mother Shakila says it is because of the fear of losing her only son that he is being kept in captivity.
“We do not have enough of money to get proper treatment for Salman. We have even sold our jewellery and ornaments for his treatment, but nothing has worked so far,” said Shakila, who works as a housemaid.
“Salman fell down from the stairs when he was only one year old. He sustained injuries and every thing seemed all right after the treatment. But as he grew older, we found some mental complications developing,” she said.
Salman’s father Vaki Mohammed, who is a rickshaw-puller, says that all they can do is to pray to god for help.
Nagma, Salman’s younger sister, said: “I feel very bad when people laugh at my brother. He is a nice guy and has never hurt anyone. We only tie him when we are away from home for work.”
“Such children should not be kept in captivity. They should be sent to the home for mentally retarded children. They get to learn a lot of many new things. It helps them to live a normal life,” said Meenal Gaur, a child psychologist.