Adoor: Two schoolgirls were brutally gang-raped with their hands and legs tied. Adoor police have taken into custody nine persons in connection with the incident and a search is on for two others. The accused are natives of Karunagappally, Cheriyazheekkal, and Clappana. They are said to be members of a sex racket.
The girls, students of ninth and tenth standards, were raped at a house near Cheriyazheekkal at Vallikkavu in Karunagappally on December 4 and 5, the police said.
On December 4, one of the accused, who was an acquaintance of the family of one girl, contacted them over phone. Then they were brought to Cheriyazheekkal beach in an autorickshaw. From there, they were taken to the house of a 'friend'. At the house, four persons raped one of the girls after tying her hands and legs with a shawl.
They also tried to take the other girl to a lodge, but she protested. So they locked her in  a room.
The accused later took the girls back to Kadambanad in a car. They asked the girls not to reveal the matter to anyone and to bring their friends next time.
On December 5, one of the accused went to the house of the girl who had refused to go to lodge the previous day. He knew the girl's mother, and told her that he was taking the girl for counselling. He then took the girl to the house at Cheriyazheekkal, called his friends, and raped her too.
At school, one of their friends came to know of the matter and informed a teacher. The school authorities contacted the Child Welfare Committee, Pathanamthitta, and the committee lodged a complaint with the Enath police.
A police team led by Adoor CI M G Babu took the accused into custody on Thursday night and collected evidence. After medical examination, the girls were produced before the Magistrate Court, Tiruvalla, and their statements recorded.
As per the directions of the court, the victims were lodged in a shelter home. After receiving hints that the accused are part of a sex racket, the police have intensified investigation.
Meanwhile, there are already allegations that the police and the authorities are trying to save some of the accused.