Alappuzha: The Kerala State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (KeSCPCR) has intervened to ensure the safety of the inmates of the destitute girls’ home at Mayithara near Cherthala here. It may be recalled that boys involved even in criminal cases are housed in the observation home located in the same compound.
The KeSCPCR has sent notices to Ms T.V. Anupama, director, Social Justice Department, and Mr Sabu Joseph, district child protection officer, seeking a report on the steps taken to protect the girls, based on a report carried by Deccan Chronicle on May 14.
Sr Biji Jose, KeSCPCR member, said that the commission would take further action after the report is received.
The commission would also check whether the inmates who were shifted to other districts to set up the girls’ home have faced any inconvenience.
The district child protection officer had brought eight girls to Mayithara home from Nooranad shelter run by Bharanikavu block panchayat on May 13 following an order issued by the SJD. The officer claimed that the girls were shifted to set up an exclusive home for girls in the district.
Finance Minister Dr T.M. Thomas Isaac had taken up the matter with Health Minister K.K. Shylaja. However, the SJD did not consider the concerns of a section of officials.
Eight minor girls and all the 21 boys belonging to different parts of the district, who were staying in Mayithara, were relocated to various districts in the state. According to the officials, the number of girls in the home will increase as the academic year begins.Most of the inmates are currently with their parents because of summer vacation.
At least nine inmates, including seven accused in the recent Anandu murder case in Vayalar here, are staying in the observation home. Anandu, a Plus-Two student at Rama Varma Higher Secondary school, Vayalar, was beaten to death over eve-teasing in the school.
The Mayithara children’s home came into existence in 2008 to rehabilitate destitute children, including those facing threats to their lives, who are ill and have no access to healthcare, and those who are exploited for illegal activities and labour.
