Kalpetta: Another sex scandal has rocked Kerala, a southern Indian state.
Police on March 7 arrested six people, who allegedly assaulted seven minor girls of an orphanage at Kalpetta, a town in the state’s northern district of Wayanad.
The arrests came a week after the police arrested a Catholic priest in neighboring Kannur district for raping a minor girl who later gave birth to baby in a private hospital.
The latest incident unfolded March 6 when the security guard of the Muslim orphanage found a girl in tears coming out of a nearby shop. An inquiry revealed that many children in the 12-16 age group were lured by a gang into the shop and subjected to abuse for more than four months, police said.
According to initial reports, the girls were lured by the gang on their way to school. They were offered sweets and forced to watch pornographic clips before being subjected to abuse. They were threatened with serious repercussions if they complained. The police sent all girls to medical examination on March 6 and tests later confirmed sexual assault, The Hindustan Times reported.
Three more accused are absconding. All accused would be charged under the protection of children from sexual offices act. All children of the orphanage would be counseled to find out whether more girls have undergone similar experience, police said.
“Eleven cases were filed and more arrests will be made in coming days,” Wayanad superintendent of police Rajpal Meena said.
The latest incident has surfaced even before the state has recovered from the shock of a rape by the priest of Mananthavady diocese, which covers Wayanad district.
“It is yet another blot on the state. All child abuse cases should be fast-tracked and guilty will be given deterrent punishment,” said Mahila Congress leader Bindhu Krishna. Former MP T N Seema asked the government to set up a special team to probe the incident.
“The shocking incident is part of a big racket. The girls’ photos and videos were taken to blackmail them. A thorough probe is needed to bring all guilty to justice,” Kannur MP P K Sreemathi told reporters after visiting the orphanage on March 7.