Kochi: The Kerala Police investigating the reported human trafficking from Kochi shores have arrested the co-owner of a boat linked to the crime. The 'Dayamatha' fishing boat was purchased by Kovalam native Anil Kumar and partner Sreekanthan of Thakkala for Rs 40 lakh, the police said.
While Anil Kumar is in custody, Sreekanthan is yet to be traced. He reportedly fled with his family members from their house at Venganur, Kovalam, on January 7.
The boat was purchased from Jibin Antony of Ernakulam on the same date.
Six owners of other boats are among eight people under interrogation after they were found to have called Sreekanthan on January 12 and 13, dates on which the trafficking gang is suspected to have smuggled out a number of people to Australia.
The police are trying to locate houses in Chavadinada, Venganur, where the trafficked people, including women and children, were accommodated.
Some of those trafficked were suspected to have stayed at Chellanam and Chottanikara in Kochi's suburbs. However, Kochi Range Inspector General Vijay Sakhare says clear proof has not emerged yet on their voyage.
The police have intensified search in nearby areas and have raided a house in Ambedkar Colony, Delhi, where some were known to have stayed.
Senior police officers including Sakhare, Rural SP Rahul R. Nair and Thrissur City Police Commissioner Yathish Chandra reviewed the progress of investigation. Tamil Nadu police Q Wing also have joined the probe. They had in 2008 investigated a case about a boat built for the Tamil Tigers in Munambam.
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