Keralam Human rights Health & Medicine Polity & Governance

State Human Rights Commission seeks DHS and DME reports on infant deaths in Attappady

12 November 2026

The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) wants inquiry reports from the Director of Health Services (DHS) and the Director of Medical Education (DME) on the deaths of infants in the tribal colonies of Attappady. The Commission acted on a case it registered suo motu after media reports. SHRC chairperson Alexander Thomas gave the two officers five weeks to file the reports with all annexures. The DHS must also report on hospitals and health centres in Attappady and Agali and what they need to protect mothers and children. A Deputy DHS and a Deputy DME, or more senior officers, must appear before the Commission on January 5 2027.

Time given for reports: five weeks Hearing before the Commission: January 5 2027

Why it matters for exams: Human rights commissions are set up under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, and Attappady is a tribal block of Palakkad — both are common Polity and Kerala questions.

Kerala PSCUPSC

12 November 2026 Source: The Hindu

In plain words

SHRC State Human Rights Commission — The State-level human rights body.

DHS Director of Health Services — Head of the State's health services department.

DME Director of Medical Education — Head of the State's medical colleges.

Suo motu On its own motion — Action taken by a body without a complaint being filed.