THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Eleven persons, including a woman, were arrested in connection with the flesh trade of a 17-year-old dalit girl hailing from Mangalapuram, near here. According to the police, the girl was allegedly sexually exploited by 16 persons between November 4 and 14. Those arrested were identified as Philomina alias Priya, 38, of Amabaloor; Sunil John, 40, of Ambaloor; Praveen, 34, of Ayiroopara; Anoop Krishnan, 26, of Enthivila; Aneeb Rafi, 24, of Nellanad; Abu, 34, of Kaniyapuram; Shakir, 34, of Ayiroopara; Pramod, 47, of Katatyikonam; Sherif, 37, of Koliyakodu; Rateesh Kumar, 34, of Pettah and Ajayakumar, 38, of Ayiroopara.
The main accused, identified as Sujith hailing from Mangalapuram, was absconding. Four others were also wanted in the case. Police sources said Sujith lured her by pretending to love her and subjected her to flesh trade in parts of Thiruvananthapuram as well as Kanyakumari and Nagercoil. Philomina was involved in sex trafficking.
