Girl chained for 16 years in Sherpur

A girl in Sherpur's Nalitabari upazila has been shackled in  chains for the last 16 years.

The girl, Muslima Akter, 18, is the daughter of late Abul Kashem of Gujakura village in Morichpuran union of the upazila.

The chain marks on Muslima's arms and legs are visible from being shackled all day for all these years. No one enters her room even if she screams. She is kept chained in a small tin shed until her mother returns from work.

Muslima's mother Monowara Begum said: "My daughter is mentally challenged. She bites her hands and legs, takes off her clothes, and runs away from home. She even fell into the water several times. This is why she is kept chained in the room."

"I could not take her to any specialist doctor due to lack of money. Local quacks treated her without any result," she added.

Muslima's elder brother Muslim Uddin said their father died when Muslima was only two and their mother had to take care of their family all on her own.

Muslima's other brother, Mokhlesur Rahman, said Muslima could get well if they got help from the government.

Nalitabari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Arifur Rahman said: "I visited Muslima on January 4. I gave Tk5,000 to her family and managed to get a rickshaw van for her brother."

"We will make sure Muslima soon gets good medical treatment and a room to stay in," added the UNO.