Kerala panel to frame strict anti-child abuse laws

A committee comprising top state government officials would be formed to frame strict anti-child abuse laws in Kerala, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said Wednesday.

"We decided to form this committee after two recent incidents were reported where children faced violence at the hands of their parents," Chandy told reporters after emerging from a weekly cabinet meeting here.

The chief minister added that the panel would submit a report in a month's time on the ways to deal with child abuse cases and measures to prevent such incidents.

"In one of the cases reported from Kozhikode, a girl succumbed to the injuries inflicted on her. In the other gruesome case in Idukki, which is being covered by the media, we are all praying that the five-year-old boy regains his health as he is battling for his life," Chandy said.

The incident at Idukki occurred Monday when the five-year-old was brought to a hospital and on examination it was found that he was subjected to physical torture by his father and step-mother.

"This is a shame for Kerala. We have decided to take immediate steps. All schools have been directed to report all such incidents of torture. Hospitals have also been told to carry out examination in detail if they suspect that a child has been physically abused," Chandy said.

State Minister for Social Justice M.K. Muneer has been directed by the cabinet to visit the boy.

Another immediate steps that has been ordered is the conduct of counselling in schools. The money required for this initiative would be drawn from a special fund available for the welfare of children.