Children tied to artificial leaves: Police register cases

Two cases were lodged after two children were allegedly tied to artificial leaves atop floats during a 'Sobha Yatra' organised as part of Sree Krishna Jayanthi celebrations on September 12, the police said today.
The cases were registered yesterday by Payyannur and Taliparamba police under section 76 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act on the basis of separate complaints, they said.
In Taliparamba, a child younger than five years was paraded atop a vehicle with his waist and legs tethered to an artificial leaf during the procession from 3 pm to 6 pm. He was allegedly not even provided drinking water, the police said.

The case was registered on the basis of a complaint by one Sreekumar, they added.
Similarly, in Payyannur, a three-year-old child was tied to an artificial leaf during the procession, they said.
The case was registered on the basis of complaint from an office bearer of Balasangam, a pro-CPI(M) organisation for children.

The procession was allegedly organised by a Sangh parivar-affiliated outfit in the district, they said.
Investigations have begun in the cases, the police said.
The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights had earlier suo motu registered a case and sought a report from home secretary and director general of police.