Sajedul Islam (19) has been in shackles in Sirajganj for almost a decade. He is the only son of Abdus Samad of Solapara village in Tarash municipality.
In a family of three, the parents tied the legs of their disabled boy to a tree in front of the house and went to work. Helpless Sajedul often gets sunburnt and other times he is forced to get drenched in the rain.
Sajedul's father, Abdus Samad, said they had tried their best to treat the only son in the family locally. But it didn't work. “If we could take him to a good doctor, maybe my son will get better,” he said.
“But we earn daily wages and we can't afford treatment.”
Meanwhile, Sajedul's sister Salma Khatun, 11, died a few months ago, adding to the family's woes. Abdus Samad lamented, “After my daughter died, he’s all we have left. We can treat the boy only if someone helps us a little.”
Tarash Upazila Social Service Additional Officer in charge Md Alauddin said, “We have arranged allowance for the disabled Sajedul. In addition, efforts are being made to take him to Pabna Mental Hospital for better treatment under social service activities.”