Invalid Odisha man makes euthanasia appeal to Prez

Dhenkanal: Invalid and bed-ridden for the last 15 years after suffering spinal injury and no one to look after him, Muralidhar Sahu of Asarada village under Hindol block in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district has appealed to President of India for mercy killing-euthanasia to bring an end to his suffering.

An emaciated Muralidhar with tears rolling down his cheeks has spent the last 15 years of his life lying on a charpoy.

With none alive in his family to look after him, villagers feed him by turns. While his mother has died, his wife committed suicide a few months after he met with the accident.

To end his sufferings, invalid Muralidhar who can hardly mumble a few words has appealed to the President of India for euthanasia.

“There is no one to look after me. I am suffering. I am unable to bear the pain. So I have appealed to the President for mercy killing,” mumbled Muralidhar with tears rolling down his listless cheeks.

“For the last 15 years he has survived with much grit but since his suffering and pain has increased four-fold, he has appealed to the President for allowing him to go for euthanasia,” said a villager.

Despite writing several times to the District Collector and Chief Minister about his plight, Muralidhar is yet to receive any help from the state government.

Muralidhar was a professional well digger, 15 years back while he was engaged in the digging of a well, a person who had come to oversee digging work slipped and fell into the well.

Muralidhar rushed to show his back to prevent the person from sustaining injuries but in turn, he injured his spine.

Being poor, he couldn’t afford to get proper treatment and has remained an invalid for the last 15 years.