Kerala to intensify fight against child abuse under operation 'Big Daddy'

Two days after Kerala police busted an online sex racket involving 'Kiss of Love' organisers, it is getting ready to intensify their drive against flesh trade through internet under operation 'Big Daddy'.

As part of the state-wide operation, carried out with the support of cyber police, five members of an online sex trafficking gang have landed in police custody last month and 13 of another group, comprising 'Kiss of Love' organiser-couple Rahul Pasupalan and Reshmi, on Wednesday.

Besides ensuring the safety of children in the society including in the family, school, tuition class or any other public place, the operation 'Big Daddy' is also envisaged to check the trafficking of minors from other states for flesh trade by anti-social elements.

State DGP T P Senkumar said the operation 'Big Daddy' was launched three months ago with an aim to check the abuse of children using online platforms.

"The safety and security of children has become a major concern in this era of internet. Operation Big Daddy is a vigilant step from the side of Kerala police to ensure the safety of children. We are planning to intensify it now," he told PTI.

The police chief said children, parents or any others can pass on information about any kind of abuse or exploitation to the police through his official Facebook page or police website or by contacting designated officials.

Earlier, Senkumar wrote in his Facebook page that the operation 'Big Daddy' was all set to intervene in any issues of children which they faced in home, school or public places and protect them.

He said a special police team with the support of cyber police held five-members of an online sex racket last month for alleged posting of obscene comments and pictures against women and children on some Facebook pages and free classified sites like Locanto.

Based on the information got from them, the other online sex racket was busted, he said.

As many as 13 persons including 'Kiss of Love' organisers Rahul and Reshmi were arrested in simultaneous raids conducted in various parts of the state on Wednesday.