Kerala child rights body orders removal of encroachments blocking student access

The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has issued a directive to remove encroachments blocking a critical right of way used by students in Thiruvananthapuram district. The commission has instructed the secretary of Karode grama panchayat to initiate eviction proceedings against parties occupying puramboke land—traditionally held as common property for public use—that has been obstructed.

The action follows a recognition that the encroachments pose an impediment to children's safe and unobstructed access to educational institutions and other essential services. Puramboke lands are communal properties managed by local administration, and their protection is considered vital for public welfare and community mobility.

The commission's directive underscores efforts by child welfare authorities in Kerala to ensure that developmental and infrastructural barriers do not compromise children's rights to education and safe passage. The Karode grama panchayat administration is expected to execute the clearance in accordance with established legal procedures for land reclamation from unauthorized occupants.

The case reflects broader concerns across Kerala about preservation of public spaces and maintenance of critical corridors essential for student safety and accessibility. Authorities have been tasked with restoring the land's intended function as a pathway for the community, particularly benefiting young learners in the region.