The police have arrested Ansar and Shebeena, a couple from Adikkatukulangara in Nooranad of Alappuzha, for brutally assaulting their nine-year-old daughter. Shebeena is the girl’s stepmother.

Ansar was apprehended in Kadamamkulam, Pathanamthitta, while Shebeena was arrested in Chakkuvalli, Kollam. In addition to the police investigation, the Child Rights Commission has registered a case regarding the incident. The Commission had earlier sought reports from the Child Welfare Officer and the Nooranad SHO. The District Child Welfare Officer, meanwhile, has been directed to provide counselling support to the child.

The case came to light when the girl’s teacher noticed signs of distress and asked her about it. The child then disclosed the abuse. The teacher immediately informed the school headmaster. The girl, who is also the school leader, was addressing a function at the school when teachers and PTA office bearers noticed slap marks on her cheek. Following this, they also found her diary note and reported the episode to the police.

Even after the assault was revealed, the father made another attempt to harm the girl with a pickaxe. When she ran away, she swung the pickaxe at him, but the blow missed and broke the tool upon hitting the ground. Fearing further attacks, the girl and Ansar’s mother were relocated to a relative’s home for safety.

Kerala plans special help for children facing abuse
The Kerala government will soon launch a special programme to protect schoolchildren who are facing abuse at home, state General Education Minister V Sivankutty said on Friday. 

As part of the new plan, all schools in Kerala will set up a "Help Box" where students can safely report their problems. "The responsibility for this box will lie with the Headmaster or Headmistress. The box must be opened at least once a week, the reports reviewed, and the information forwarded to the Department of General Education," the minister told reporters.

A survey will also be carried out in schools, with the help of student volunteer groups, to find children who may be suffering in silence. "The government is fully committed to the safety and well-being of every child," Sivankutty said. Full details of the project will be announced soon, he said. The minister added that he would personally visit the Class 4 student in Charummoodu, Alappuzha, who had faced abuse from her father and stepmother, to ensure she received the necessary support.