Social Welfare Minister M K Muneer on Thursday said that the government would set up ‘Jagratha Samitis’ at ward levels in all panchayats to prevent atrocities against children.
Talking to reporters after visiting the five year old, Shafeeq at St John’s hospital here, Muneer said that the samithi will comprise the members of the Social Welfare Board, school teachers and police constable.
The government is planning to hold awareness classes at panchayat level to educate people on the repercussions of ill treating children. The services of Kudumbashree activists could be utilized for holding such classes, he said.
Stern action will be taken against hospitals, schools or any such institutions who fail to report atrocities against children, Muneer said.
It is a matter of concern that the outrageous behaviour taking place against children are not coming out of the four walls of the houses. By the time people come to know of such things, it is too late, he said. He called upon the media and the common public to remain vigilant to detect such cases.
The government will do everything possible to save the life of Shafeeq who is battling for life after allegedly suffering torture from father and step mother.
Though the child is responding to medicines, he is still critical and cannot be shifted to a health institution where he can get better healthcare, Muneer said.
The treatment given at the hospital is satisfactory and the expert team from Kottayam Medical College has also approved of it, the MInister said.
E S Bijimol MLA, District Collector Ajit Patil, ADM P N Santosh, panchayat president Johny Kulampally and St Johns Neuro Surgery Department head Dr Nishanth Paul, were present.