Bardiya, February 2 A man was found chained to a cowshed for the past 18 years in Sankhariya of Bashgadhi Municipality-4, Bardiya. Phulram Tharu, 40, was chained and kept in a cowshed by his family after he started showing abnormal behaviour some 18 years ago. Phulram’s father Aitbari Tharu recounted, “All of a sudden, he showed abnormal behaviour, attacked people with whatever weapon he found and  injured his own son. All these incidents made us to chain him to the cowshed.” A small slat has been placed in the cowshed for him to sleep. He clearly understands what others talk about him and demands food when he is hungry. Although his family took him to Nepalgunj for treatment, they could not afford the treatment expenses. His father Aitabari Tharu said he owned fivekattha land and a hut provided by the Landless Squatters’ Problem Resolution Commission. “We hardly make a living working as waged labourers. There is no way we can afford his treatment.” He said he was the sole breadwinner and his income hardly sufficed to feed his family. Meanwhile, Ward Chairman Rajman Tharu said Phulram was a mental patient and the local level had provided an identity card for disabled to him. “There is nothing we can do to support his treatment,” he added.