Rights panel to hold meetings with girls at Kozhikode children’s home

Move to verify reports of ragging and sexual exploitation

With an aim to verify reports of ragging and sexual exploitation, the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights is planning to record the confidential statements of all the 39 minor girls at the Government Children’s Home in Kozhikode city.

A member of the rights panel said a report would be submitted to the State government and higher authorities concerned for follow-up action at the earliest.

The commission is likely to hold one-on-one meetings with the girls to listen to their grievances and demands. Though there have been unconfirmed reports about ragging and sexual mistreatment involving the senior girls at the institution, there are no written complaints yet.