JAGATSINGHPUR : Jagatsinghpur police came up with an initiative to provide rewards and appreciation letters to people who help them in rescuing mentally challenged persons. As of today, police have started taking help of locals in rescuing such men and women and admitting them to hospitals for treatment. So far, seven women have been rescued.
Under the provisions of Mental Health Act, 1987, the OIC of any police station may rescue any mentally-ill patient and produce him/her before the magistrate within 24 hours so that the patient is sent for treatment. Recently, police started a drive to rescue mentally challenged persons from streets and hand them over to the district social security officer for facilitating treatment. SP JN Pankaj said since locals are helping cops in rescuing such persons, police administration has decided to give rewards to them.