A 12-year-old tribal girl from Mancheeri hamlet in Karulai forest range of Nilambur sustained a thumb injury after she was allegedly beaten with a stick by her mathematics teacher at school. The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has registered a case.
The Class VI student of S.V. Higher Secondary School, Palemadu, suffered swelling on her thumb after the alleged assault on July 21. The student is among the 16 Cholanaikan children from the Mancheeri tribal settlement studying at the school. She stays at a hostel run by Mahila Samakhya at Palemadu. According to sources, the teacher punished students for scoring poor marks in the examination.
Cholanaikans are a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG) living deep inside the forests of Nilambur in Malappuram district. Traditionally, they lived in natural rock shelters and caves and are often described as among the last surviving cave-dwelling indigenous communities in Asia.
The child’s father Mani was killed in an elephant attack on January 4, 2025, while returning on foot to the hamlet after dropping his children at the hostel.
Mahila Samakhya district programme coordinator M. Rajeena took the child to a private clinic, where she was given a pain-relief injection. She was later taken to Eranad Hospital, Edakkara, where an X-ray ruled out a fracture.
Ms. Rajeena said the student entered school only in Class IV, without any primary education. “She is in Class VI now, but the learning gap still affects her studies,” she said.
Ms. Rajeena said she met the headmaster and teachers after the incident and warned them about the consequences of corporal punishment. She also reported the matter to her higher authorities.
According to sources, the school management informed the teacher that she would be held responsible for any consequences arising from the incident.
Representatives of Child Helpline (formerly Childline) visited the hostel on Monday and spoke to the girl. Child Rights Commission member Shajesh Bhaskar told The Hindu that a suo motu case was registered after seeing the video of the girl in sling, and a notice served on the school.
Published – August 05, 2026 12:02 am IST
