KANHANGAD: Police have arrested the parents of a six-year-old girl who was tied down and tortured by smearing chilli paste on her tongue. Thampi (61) and his wife Usha (38) who resides near Paramba Anganwadi in Chittarikkal, Kasargod was arrested by Chittarikkal SI K Prashant. The two were remanded by the Hosdurg Judicial First Class Magistrate (One) Court for two weeks. The child is in the shelter home of the government.

The incident took place on January 20 at their home in Paramba. Thampi and Usha, who were under the influence of alcohol, tied up the child for a trivial reason and rubbed chilli paste on her. The cruelty of the parents came to light when the child ran away from here and sought refuge in a neighboring house. Soon after, Chittarikkal police and Childline representatives reached the spot and took the child's statement.

Chittarikkal police have registered a case against the parents on the complaint of Childline. The couple's eldest child is in Nirbhaya Kendra in Padannakkad.