Bhubaneswar, July 27: The Kendrapara district administration today rescued a mentally challenged woman who was chained up in her house by members of her family.

The 25-year-old, once a stage actress, has been admitted to a state-run mental health institute in Cuttack.

The father of the former actress, identified as Bajani Lodha Sasmal, could not bear the cost of her treatment and kept her tied up as she often displayed abnormal and violent behaviour, local residents said.

Her parents, who are daily-wage earners, could not cope with their daughter's bouts of violence. "We were left with no option but to chain her," said her father, Siba Lodha Sasmal, 60.

Kendrapara collector Reghu G. said: "The administration took up her cause as a humanitarian gesture because her parents were unable to bear the cost of her treatment. The district administration will bear the cost from the District Red Cross Society funds. The chief district medical officer has been directed to follow the progress of her treatment."

Till three years ago, Bajani, a tribal from Baraja village under Mahakalapada block, was acting in lead roles in drama troupes and operas and earning plaudits. She had become the principal breadwinner of her family.

Bajani's fortunes changed as she suddenly suffered a psychiatric disorder and her parents could not afford to treat her. She was kept chained for three years.

"I was broken when my daughter started suffering from mental illness. I am a landless person and toil in the fields for livelihood. I tried my best to treat her with my limited resources. But the cost of treatment was too high," said Siba.

"It was painful for us to chain her up, but we had no other option. We are happy now that she will have a chance at leading a normal life after treatment," he said.