THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: 12 people, including IT professionals, were arrested in the 'Operation P Hunt' conducted by the state-wide police yesterday. 142 cases were registered in 858 centres. 270 devices including phones, modems, hard disks, memory cards, laptops and computers were seized. The police said that nude pictures of children between the ages of 5 and 15 were circulated and the accused are suspected to be involved in cases of child trafficking.

The information is being collected by the Countering Child Sexual Exploitation Unit of the Kerala Police. Viewing, storing or distributing child pornography is punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of Rs 10 lakh.