No Xmas cheer for police firing victim

GUWAHATI: Two years ago, Bikash Tigga, an adivasi youth, lost his right leg in police firing against protesters in Dhekiajuli. The 24-year-old's prayers to be able to walk, to have a job, and a normal life have not yielded much.
In 2014, Tigga was busy doing his Christmas shopping with the limited resources at his disposal. The night of December 23 changed everything.He was shot by stray bullets when police resorted to open firing in Dhekiajuli town to disperse agitating adivasis who had gathered to protest the December 23 massacre by NDFB (S). A wounded Tigga was immediately rushed to Guwahati and admitted to the ICU at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital. Doctors treating him advised further treatment in Delhi. A month later, Tigga's right leg had to be amputated to save his life.
"The state government bore the hospital expenses. They gave him a cheque of Rs 50,000. But he had asked for a job. He wanted a means for long-term sustenance. He is still waiting," said a friend of Tigga.
The charm of Christmas has worn off for Tigga.
"Christmas is special but is no longer exceptional. These two years have been quite painful for me and my family," Tigga said.
Things could change if he got an amputee blade runner, a prosthetic leg which would enable him to walk. But the expense is huge - an estimated Rs 5 lakh or more. Moreover, the device has to be procured from abroad and needs the supervision of experts for the fitting.
While he waits for further help from the state government, his mother runs the household. As the eldest in his family, he feels helpless. "This Christmas, I only pray that God helps me get the blade runner. I also ask for a job that would help make ends meet and give a relief to my mother. The state government has forgotten me and so has society," Tigga said.