Palakkad, Kerala: Two young siblings from Anakkara in Thrithala approached the Palakkad Collectorate seeking help after a family dispute left them unwilling to live separately from either parent.

The children, aged 10 and 8, reached the Collectorate on Monday at around 12.30 pm along with their 12-year-old cousin, the daughter of their father's sister. They met District Collector MS Madhavikutty and appealed for their parents to stay together.

"Mom likes us, but she doesn't want Dad. We want both," the children told the Collector.

According to the children, their mother works abroad. During the Vishu season, the father and children travelled overseas to spend two months with her. However, the children later claimed they felt neglected during the visit and said their mother barely interacted with them.

After returning home to Kerala, the family situation worsened further. The children alleged that their father turned to alcohol, leaving them emotionally distressed and isolated inside their home.

Children refuse mother's condition

The dispute intensified last Wednesday after their mother returned to Kerala and reportedly asked the children to live with her without their father.

The siblings refused the proposal.

"We will only go if they are both together," they insisted.

Their grandfather and cousin supported the children’s decision as the family conflict continued to deepen. The children said they had become mentally exhausted after being caught in ongoing domestic disputes and police cases involving the family. They described themselves as being "hunted" by the conflict around them.

Before approaching the Collector, the children had already contacted the Child Welfare Committee seeking intervention.

Counselling initiated after Collector’s intervention

During the meeting, the children’s 12-year-old cousin acted as their spokesperson and explained the emotional turmoil the family had faced over recent months.

Following Collector MS Madhavikutty’s intervention, the Child Protection Unit under the Women and Child Development Department stepped in to provide counselling support.

Officials later sent the children back home after assuring them of safety and protection.