A tribal man, suspected to be mentally challenged, has been left to fend for himself in the dense forests of the Nagarahole National Park.
He is sighted frequently by motorists near D.B. Kuppe on the Mysore–Mananthavady Road and the issue has been brought to the notice of the Karnataka State Human Rights Commission by P.R. Sreejith, a Wayanad-based human rights activist and advocate.
In a complaint to the commission, Mr. Sreejith said the man was found roaming naked in the forests, often eating waste from roadside. Mr. Sreejith said he first saw him on May 12, 2014 while travelling through the Mysore–Mananthavady Road and again after some days running across the road in distress in search of food.
Mr. Sreejith visited the place with a few friends after some days and made inquiries about the person. They found that he was from the D.B. Kuppe range but had been abandoned by his family and other tribal people.
“Occasionally, a few public transport passengers and those travelling by cars stop and feed him. Lorry drivers even throw food out without stopping. One can see him waiting for motorcyclists, public transport passengers and those travelling by cars for food,” Mr. Sreejith said in his complaint.
People with mental disorders were among the most vulnerable sections of society, Mr. Sreejith said, and added that they were often isolated, stigmatised, discriminated, humiliated and marginalised.
“They often end up in unhygienic and inhumane living conditions either in the community or in hospitals with increased likelihood of human rights violation,” he added.
Taking note of his complaint, the commission issued directives on July 16, 2014 stating that “the person should be urgently rescued and housed in a hospital or mental health institution in the nearest place or at Mysore if no such place near him is available”.
The directive was issued to the Chief Conservator of Forests, Mysore, and the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) in Bangalore.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), which took note of his complaint, directed the district administration on July 16 to rescue the person within four weeks.
However, wildlife activists working in the region have said that there has been no action at the ground level so far.
