11-month-old sent on solo parasailing; Human Rights panel, police to file case against parents

KANNUR:  Sending a baby of barely 11 months old alone on parasailing by her parents in Kozhikode on Wednesday has landed the couple in trouble. Following media reports on the misdemeanour, the State Human Rights Commission and the police acted swiftly to initiate action against the parents.

A top police official said the parents would be charged under different clauses of human rights violation and putting the child through hours of indescribable trauma. “The psychological condition of the child will be examined and statements will be taken from the parents, before proceeding with further action” he said.   

The event took place in the adventurous sports training organised by Kozhikode-based Malabar Aerosports Society.

Interestingly, the event held at Muzhappilangadu Drive-in beach was attended by District collector and Police superintendent. The child is the grand daughter of society office-bearer Sahar Ahammed. She was made to sail at 600 feet height and it is reported that only because of sheer luck that the child escaped unscathed.       

According to sources the mother and father of the child who was present at the event had given their consent. After fastening the sailing belt to the child, the mother also ran with the baby for some distance before leaving her to parasail to the heights, on her own.

The baby started crying loudly, creating panic among the onlookers. Even when the parachute touched the ground after the flight, she kept crying. Soon, the parents took out their child and vanished from the scene as if to evade TV cameras.  

Incidentally, the Akashayatra (Sky flight), conducted by State Youth Welfare board at Payyambalam in Kannur two weeks ago, saw District collector P Balakiran falling off a glider but he managed to walk away unhurt.
The child, Niya Nizam, had undergone a month's training, a relative of the toddler told television channels.

Kannur Superintendent of Police P N Unniraja said that he had asked the organisers and parents not to put the child to such a trauma.

"We are looking into the matter and taking legal opinions on whether a case can be registered against the parents and organisers," Unniraja, who also inaugurated the event, said.

He said he had told the organisers yesterday not to send the child on the trip and had hesitated to inaugurate the event today.

The organisers, a private company from Kozhikode, had said legally there was no provision to ban the event, the official said.

Malayalam actor Vineeth, a friend of the family, who was also present, wondered why the media was trying to kick up a controversy when the child's parents had no issues.

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