Kochi:  An exclusive raid was conducted by the police in a number of beauty parlours in the city. The police suspected that many of them were engaged in sex (flesh) trade under the mask of running massage parlours. The raids were simultaneously conducted in 13 such parlours in several parts of the city based on specific inputs.

According to a police official, the police have arrested eight persons including four women in connection with the raids. Ernakulam range IG M.R. Ajithkumar and city police commissioner K.G. James have given instructions on the basis of inputs that even minor girls were used for sex trade under the cover of massage parlours and beauty clinics.  For such illegal acts girls were brought from many places in Kerala and outside the state, a statement issued by the commissioner said.   

“Many of the beauty parlours in the city were under police surveillance for the past few days” it stated. Raids were held in areas like; Rich Mont Beauty Parlour functioning at Pioneer Tower, Monus at Kaloor-Kathrikadavu Road, Ila World Spa at Panampilly Nagar, Rogins near Power House in Vytila and few others.

Those arrested were identified as Ms Nancy 40, Ms Geethakumari 50, Ms Lijo 31, Ms Bindhi 42, Hari 41, Murkuan 30, KA Dominic 59, Ravi 65, Pramod 34. Nancy and Geethakumari were even arrested in a similar case few months ago. Raids will be conducted against such parlours in coming days too, police said. Strict action will be taken against persons running such establishments, they added.        

The raid was led by ACP Rex Boby Arvin, central station circle inspector Nizamudin, sub-inspector Anand Lal and others.