Kochi, Jul 3 - The Kerala High Court has ordered issue of notices to the Central and state governments on a petition seeking probe into the alleged forced sterilisation of tribals in Wayanad district.

In its petition, tribal body Kerala Prakthana Gothara Sangam alleged that in November 2010, at least 40 men from primitive tribal groups were forcibly sterilised at the taluk hospital in Sulthan Bathery.

Sangam president C K Krishnan alleged that mass sterilisation had been conducted in various places, including Kolpara, Puthumal, and Chooralmala in a "casual and unskilled" manner causing severe health complications. In 2010, a tribal had died after sterilisation, it was alleged.

State Attorney P Vijayaraghavan stated that sterilisation was conducted as part of 'small family-happy family' policy of the central government and was carried out after taking the consent of the person.

A division bench comprising acting Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice A M Shaffique ordered issue of notices to Centre and state governments when the petition came up. PTI