The Kerala government has set up a high-level task force led by AIG of Police Poonkuzhali to probe the elevated number of cases registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in specific police station areas of Palakkad district. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala mandated the Home Department to establish the task force within three days and deliver a comprehensive report to the Additional Chief Secretary, Home, within three months.
The investigation will concentrate on the police station jurisdictions of Walayar, Kollengode, Meenakshipuram, and Kozhinjampara, where POCSO cases have been notably higher than in other parts of the district. The task force, comprising members from various organizations including the District Janajagaran Samithi, the District Women’s Cell, Sakhi, the District Child Welfare Office, women’s groups, and senior police officers, will not only scrutinize the pattern of offenses but also delve into the broader social factors that may be exposing children to increased risks.
This move by the government stems from recommendations put forth by the Estimates Committee of the 10th Kerala Legislative Assembly, urging a detailed study into the reasons behind the clustering of POCSO cases in these areas. The committee proposed the formation of a multidisciplinary panel to suggest preventive measures. The impact of the digital age on children will be a key area of investigation.
The task force’s mandate includes assessing how the proliferation of smartphones and digital devices has impacted children’s behavior, emotional well-being, and relationships. It will explore whether children from various socio-economic backgrounds are affected differently by increased digital exposure and if these changes have heightened their susceptibility to exploitation. The inquiry will also evaluate the specific conditions in localities like Walayar, which are in proximity to industrial zones.
