In a tragic incident from the Idukki district of Kerala, a seven-year-old boy was brutally attacked on Thursday by his mother’s partner. The incident took place in the early hours of Thursday, around 2 am, at Kumaramangalam near Thodupuzha in Idukki.
The boy, who suffered serious injuries, is still in critical condition. He is on ventilator support at a private hospital in Ernakulam. The man has been identified as 35-year-old Arun Anand, a native of Thiruvananthapuram, who has been residing with the family in Idukki since the last eight months.
In a statement given to the Thodupuzha Child Welfare Committee, the victim’s four-year-old brother said that he witnessed the man assaulting his elder brother. “The man hit the victim’s head with a stick, banged his head on the floor and dragged his head by the side of a shelf,” Dr Joseph Augustine, Chairman of the Thodupuzha Child Welfare Committee, told TNM.
According to Thodupuza Circle Inspector S Abhilash, “Blood was oozing from his head. The neighbours heard some unusual noise from the house on Thursday. They rushed him to the hospital. Arun has been taken into custody. Since the victim’s mother is at the hospital, we will register Arun’s arrest after recording her statement as well. Besides, we are waiting for the hospital report to confirm the injuries to his brain.”
The police are yet to confirm the motive behind the attack. “Arun is addicted to recreational drugs,” the CI said.
The victim’s mother and brother, too, were present at the house when the incident took place. During the attack, the younger child and the mother also sustained minor injuries. The four-year-old brother lost his teeth, said the police.
The rented house, where the incident took place, has been sealed for further investigation.
Meanwhile, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has asked the Idukki District officials to submit a report on the incident immediately. The CM has directed to provide all assistance for the treatment. The Child Rights Commission has registered a suo motu case against Arun.
Similar brutalities in Idukki
Idukki is infamous for incidents of violence against children. Here are some instances from the recent past.