Kerala child rights’ panel orders probe into premature deaths in Anakkampoyil tribal settlement

Commission calls for rehabilitation of orphaned children

The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the suspected premature deaths in the Anakkampoyil tribal settlement in Kozhikode district. The action comes in the wake of a direct field assessment by Commission members K. Nazeer and B. Babitha on June 26. Based on the Commission’s latest order, officials of the Departments of Health and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Development will be responsible for carrying out the scientific study and submitting the report. They will also have to come up with a concrete action plan to address the concerns. During the visit to the tribal settlement, the Commission members found that the average lifespan of those included in the list of premature deaths was 40. A study report submitted by the Tribal Extension Officer on the panel’s demand said the reasons for the majority of such deaths were related to various liver problems.