Title - Homecoming for 19 patients

Ranchi : Nineteen mental patients originally from Jharkhand and Bihar arrived in Ranchi today from Kochi, thanks to a Kerala High Court order. The legal system's humane face was seen at Ranchi station this morning, as the Alappuzha Dhanbad Express chugged into platform No. 1. The Kerala High Court had directed that the mental patients be sent to Ranchi Institute of Neuro-Psychiatry and Allied Sciences (Rinpas) for advanced treatment. A 10-member medical team including lady doctors and paramedics had been deputed by the Kerala government to oversee the journey of the patients, six women among them. On their arrival, they found themselves warmly welcomed by a group of judicial service officers and a posse of railway jawans. On their arrival, they were helped by policemen who carried their luggage, led them to an enclosure at the station lobby, offered them flowers and refreshments and then helped them board a special bus which led them to the mental hospital. Very little is known about the patients. They may have been working in Kerala when they became mentally ill or had wandered into the southern state in a deranged state. They had been lodged at Palluruthy Relief Settlement, a rehabilitation shelter under Cochin Vagrancy Act for the vagrant and destitute, managed by the state and an NGO, Peoples' Council for Social Justice. Some, who were more lucid than the others, such as Sona Betty and Kamruddin, could recall their names and places they hailed from ' Shikaripara in Dumka, Jharkhand, and Purnea in Bihar. Last month, Kerala High Court had roped in Kerala State Legal Services Authority (Kelsa) and its Jharkhand counterpart to transfer the 19 to Rinpas for proper mental healthcare. Jharkhand State Legal Services Authority (Jhalsa) acted promptly and contacted Rinpas authorities. "Kerala High Court has also appreciated our prompt action," said Jhalsa member-secretary B.K. Goswami. The Kerala government facilitated the transfer of the 19. "We must also thank the railways for the smooth journey. The 19 patients did not have any serious problems while coming here," said Dr Arun of the medical team. "We hope these people can now get better and finally go back to their respective homes," said Jisha, a social worker in the team. Rinpas director Dr Amul Ranjan, who admitted the patients, said they would evaluate their condition. "I also hope their families can be contacted and they can be rehabilitated," he said.