Abdur Rauf, 71, of Mulukgram near Bolpur in Birbhum district, wants death for his two disabled daughters, who have been deprived of adequate support from the administration.

A jobless Rauf has requested President APJ Abdul Kalam to permit euthanasia for them. Two years after writing to Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee seeking his “permission” for mercy killing of his daughters, all he got was assurances of help.

In a letter posted to the President this weekend, Rauf said he and his family need around Rs 3,000 per month to survive. After several applications, one girl has been offered a disability pension of Rs 500. “The social welfare officer, who came for inspection, said two people from the same family can’t be given support,” Rauf said.

Having lost hope, Rauf has stopped demanding any assistance. He has a new demand.

“I want death for my daughters. After I had written to the CM, I was assured assistance. But, there’s been no medical assistance or pension. I was issued a job card over a year ago, but offered only seven days work. Once I am gone, my daughters won’t survive ,” says Rauf, who is undergoing treatment at the Bolpur Subdivision Hospital for a leg injury.

His daughters, Fatema (41) and Regina (36) are suffering from spastic paralysis and are bed-ridden. While their mother Ansara is away taking care of their father at the hospital, the sisters lie in the veranda of their mud-plastered hut. There’s no one at home. At times, Tanzila, Rauf’s eldest daughter, who was married years ago, drops in to see her sisters.

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