A case has emerged from the Attappady region of Kerala’s Palakkad district where a 26-year-old tribal youth was allegedly assaulted on suspicion of stealing medicinal herbs. The youth sustained serious injuries and is currently undergoing treatment. The victim’s family has accused the police of negligence and of registering the case under minor sections despite the severity of the assault.
According to available information, the incident occurred on December 7. The victim, Manikandan, a resident of Paloor, was suspected of stealing the root of a medicinal plant. It is alleged that based on this suspicion, Ramraj, a wholesale trader dealing in medicinal plants, assaulted him. Family members stated that Manikandan suffered severe head injuries during the attack.
Two days later, on December 9, Manikandan travelled to Kozhikode to play tribal musical instruments during an election campaign programme. During the event, he suddenly collapsed and was rushed to a hospital. Medical examinations confirmed a skull fracture and internal injuries. He is currently receiving treatment at the Attappady Tribal Taluk Specialty Hospital.
The victim’s family alleged that despite his hospitalisation, the police initially failed to treat the matter with seriousness. They claimed that only minor sections were invoked against the accused, even though the injuries were critical in nature. The family has demanded that the accused be booked for attempt to murder and under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Police officials said that the victim’s statement was recorded on December 16. Following this, the Puthur police registered a case against the accused, Ramraj, under Sections 126(2) (wrongful restraint) and 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Police stated that the investigation is ongoing and further action would be taken based on medical reports.
The incident has drawn concern from social organisations and tribal rights activists, who said that cases of violence against tribal communities continue to be reported from the Attappady region, while strict legal action often remains absent.
The Attappady incident has once again raised serious questions about the safety of tribal communities and the sensitivity of the police and the administration.
