From the States

Punjab: Lost mentally disabled and her baby lodge temporarily at a police station

Taxi drivers found her roaming with her child in the Mamoon area. Mentally challenged, she cannot speak or make others understand what she wants. She carries a one-year-child crying in her lap and waiting to be fed.

A few philanthropists had tried to help her. However, they failed to comprehend what she wanted. Finally, they took her to Mamoon police station, where she has been putting up for the few days.

As per information gathered by the policemen from her belongings, she seemed to be from a middle class family of the Kathua area in Jammu and Kashmir or the Chamba area of Himachal Pradesh. She seemed to be in mid twenties and her child is about one-year-old. She has a bus ticket up to Pathankot in her belongings.

The policemen suspected that she might have to board a bus from Pathankot to some other destination. She was either lost or her family members deserted her at the place.

The Mamoon policemen took her to Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir. They woman seemed happy. She, however, failed to give any clue about her village.

She is staying at Mamoon police station. The policemen disclosed that efforts were on to locate her family.

Those who helped her and her child have demanded that the government should allot some card or identification to such people so that they can be sent back to their place if they are lost.

Source: Mentally challenged finds temporary home. The Tribune, Daly. New Delhi, 30 August 2006.