Representational image | Photo Credit: PTI

Kochi: Intelligence agencies are searching for a group of about 50 people who are believed to have vanished from the popular beach destination of Cherai in Kerala. The 50-strong group also includes women and children. A report in The Times of India said the group had arrived from Delhi as tourists and was in Cherai for about a week. However, they have not been traceable since January 12.

It is suspected that the missing people were of Tamil origin and it could be a case of human trafficking. The report said the agencies suspect the people could have left the Indian coast in a motorised boat from the Munnambam harbour and might be travelling to Christmas Islands located some 4,000 kms away from Kerala and around 1,500 kms northwest of Australia.

Intelligence agencies are looking at the possibility of the people being smuggled out as part of a well-planned operation. The involvement of international human-trafficking groups is also not being ruled out.

Details gathered by intelligence sleuths suggest that the group’s representatives purchased an over Rs 1 crore worth fishing boat named 'Devamatha' in cash while in Cherai. They further acquired around Rs 10 lakh worth of 12,000 litres of diesel and five 1,000-litre capacity water tanks.

Further, the group also purchased medicine supply for about a month. Intelligence sleuths believe all this suggests the group plans to be in the waters for a long duration.

During investigation, it was also found that the group had left behind abandoned bags containing supplies for a long journey.

The police have registered a case under Section 102 of CrPC, Ernakulam police said, adding a 14-member special investigation team has been set up to probe the case.

The suspected traffickers could have chosen Munnabam harbour for the departure as a number of fishing boats operate from there every day and security is also not tight there, the report said.