Mon Nov 11 14:01:27 UTC 2024: ## Kerala High Court Orders Action Plan to Curb Child Marriages Among Tribal Communities in Wayanad
**Kochi, November 11, 2024:** The Kochia Division Bench of the Kerala High Court has directed the Wayanad District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) to develop a comprehensive plan to combat child marriage among tribal communities in the district. The court issued this order after reviewing a report submitted by the DLSA, which highlighted the prevalence of child marriages among various tribal communities, including Paniyas, Mullukurumas, Adiyars, Kurichyas, Ooralis, Kattunaikkans, Kanduvadiyar, Thachanadar, and Kanaladi.
The court also directed the DLSA to convene a joint meeting with government officials and the relevant panchayats to collaborate on the action plan. Furthermore, the Bench suggested the formation of a committee headed by the DLSA, comprising ex-officio members from the state and representatives from non-governmental organizations, to implement long-term solutions to address the issue.
The court recognized the multifaceted nature of the problem, acknowledging the potential need for amendments to existing rules. The counsel for the Kerala State Legal Services Authority (KELSA) emphasized the complexity of the issue.
The High Court’s intervention underscores the seriousness of child marriage within tribal communities in Wayanad and aims to provide a framework for combating this harmful practice.
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