KOZHIKODE: The children in Tanur are yet to come out of the trauma they have suffered following the violence that rocked the beach two weeks ago leading to the destruction of 300 houses. Kids still scream with horrific memories and adolescent children have either missed exams or performed badly. According to district child protection officer Samir Machingal, counselling for 100-odd children and parents was done in two rounds.
“After the first session, the Anganwadi registered the presence of four kids out of 40. Now it has risen to 14. Hopefully, things will change in the coming days,” he told DC. Many kids had directly experienced the violence-- the attack on houses and vehicles being setting ablaze. “Little children have post-traumatic stress disorder. They cannot do anything alone like going to the toilet or coming out of homes without the company of parents,” says Mufsira Mariyam, the psychologist who works under DCPU. Individual and group counselling was given under two categories—Anganwadi-going children and adolescents.
“Many of the school-going children are now in their relatives’ houses and their studies have been affected badly. The men are yet to return to their houses and there is heavy police presence in the area. Children would regain their calm only when the police return and normalcy is restored,” said a teacher. The counselling programme for children and parents was organised by the DCPU, Childline and Anganwadi supervisors. The areas in Tanur beach, Jamal Peedika, Ottumpuram beach, Aal bazaar etc witnessed the clashes between IUML and CPM workers on March 12. The police too drew flak for excesses which resulted in the destruction of properties worth crores of rupees.
