Police arrested five people on charges of exploitation of indigenous girls at the KR Puram Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) in West Godavari District.
Buttaigudem Police recorded Sections 370 (Exploitation), 420 IPC, SC and ST (Atrocity Prevention) and human trafficking cases against Korla Ramana Reddy, Naresh, Ramana, Saradhi and Varma arrested Tuesday.
Police superintendent K. Narayan Naik said there was a hunt for ITDA Project Officer (PO) RV Suryanarayana, who was the main culprit in the case.
The former ITDA PO, who was handed over to the government for sexual harassment, and his accomplices have reportedly lured tribal girls to Koya and Kondareddy on the pretext of creating jobs for them, police said.
Complaint against PO
A few days ago, collector Kartikeya Misra released Mr. Suryanarayana from his duties based on allegations by a tribal girl who had completed a TTC course that the PO had promised her a job and sexually harassed her.
Mr. Misra directed Eluru Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) P. Rachana and the District Sexual Harassment Committee to investigate the allegations and submit a report.
On the other hand, the SP formed a team led by the Deputy Police Commissioner (DSP) of Polavaram, K. Latha Kumari, to investigate the allegations.
“During the investigation, the police found that the ITDA PO had carried out the illegal activities in his private guest house in Jangareddygudem and that he was supported by the other defendants,” said an investigator.
Modus operandi
Mr Narayan Naik told the story The Hindu that the defendants’ modus operandi was to trap tribal girls by promising them jobs and sending them to the PO guest house.
“The exploitation of tribal girls took place last year. After reporting a victim, the police registered a case and started an investigation. We’re trying to find out how many girls were trapped and how many were involved in the gang’s activities, ”the SP said.
The collector said that the Eluru RDO and other officers visited the KR Puram ITDA and conducted an investigation. They talked to the victims, the staff and the villagers.
“MS. Rachana is expected to submit her sexual harassment investigative report on Wednesday. The District Sexual Harassment Committee will also report shortly. The defendants will be dealt with independently of cadre under the law and justice will be done to the victims.” said the collector.