State government should help tribal children and families in Nilambur: Kerala High Court

Kochi (IANS). The Kerala High Court has directed the state government to take appropriate steps to provide education to tribal children and medical facilities to the families in three villages of Nilambur taluk.

Aryadan Showketh, former chairman of the Nilambur municipality, filed a petition in the court against the human rights violations and injustice meted out to the tribal communities.

While hearing the petition, the court said that at present priority is being given to the reconstruction works of the bridge. The government should ensure that children get education and medical facilities. Including toilet facilities.

The court said that in the absence of medical facilities, women have to cross the river. In such a situation, it becomes difficult for pregnant women to be admitted to the hospital.

Showketh, son of late Congress leader Aryadan Mohammed, said that around 300 tribal families living along the Chaliyar and Punnapuzha rivers were affected by the devastating floods in 2018 and 2019.

They said that after the floods, their homes have become unlivable and they have lost access to the mainland. In such a situation, basic facilities like hospital, ration shop, school have become difficult due to the broken bridge.

The counsel appearing for the state told the court that the government had suggested alternative houses for accommodation, but the tribal families were not ready to move from their areas.

The court said that its main aspect is to provide basic facilities to tribal families and education to their children.

The court asked the counsel for the state whether boats could be made available for the use of tribals during specific hours.

The court said that we will consider other requests. At present, we are worried about the education and medical facilities of the children.

The court posted the matter for Thursday and asked the state to respond.