Shuklaphanta: A mentally-ill woman named Janaki Baniya, aged 25, from Shuklaphanta Municipality-3, has been rescued after being confined in a room for many years. The rescue was initiated by Deputy Mayor Kalpana Panta of Shuklaphanta Municipality, and Janaki has now been transferred to Manav Sewa Ashram in Dhangadhi.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Janaki began suffering from mental illness between the ages of 15 and 16. Her family had initially sought treatment, and she showed improvement for a few months. However, believing her condition to be stable, they discontinued her treatment, leading to a deterioration in her mental health. This ultimately resulted in her being confined to a room in a separate house.
Municipal police facilitated Janaki’s release, during which she attempted to speak but could only manage a few words. Observers noted her weakness and frailty, attributed to a lack of adequate nutrition. Janaki’s father, Puran Baniya, explained that the family resorted to locking her up due t
o her erratic behavior, which included wandering, eating indiscriminately, and throwing objects.
Despite receiving a ‘fully disabled’ allowance from the municipality, Deputy Mayor Panta highlighted neglect in terms of providing Janaki with nutritious food and maintaining her personal hygiene. Janaki will remain at Manav Sewa Ashram for three months before being returned to her family.