The NHRC has sought the Kerala government’s response to reports of high incidence of suicide among the tribal population in Peringammala Panchayat in Thiruvananthapuram district. The Commission took suo motu cognisance of a news item on this and issued notices to the Chief Secretary and DGP, seeking a comprehensive report. The state authorities have been given two weeks to file their response. An official NHRC statement said that the development, “if true, indicates a serious issue relating to the right to life and the social, economic and cultural rights of the persons belonging to Scheduled Tribes residing in the particular region in Kerala.” The commission pointed out that according to the news report, “there is an alarming increase in suicides among tribal people settled in the” region “with about 23 deaths reported in 2024 itself”. It said that “suicides by young people belonging to a vulnerable section of society is indeed an issue relating to violation of human rights which requires immediate attention of the government agencies. The State is duty-bound to ensure the safety and security of every citizen under its jurisdiction.” The statement said that “state government is also expected to inform about the steps taken/proposed to ensure such incidents do not recur.” “Reportedly, as per rough estimates, around 138 happened mostly in Peringammala Panchayat in the district between 2011-2022. Now after 2 years of relative calm, the string of suicides has returned to haunt the tribal settlements in the district,” the statement said, referring to the report.
