Thiruvananthapuram, Jun 26 (IANS): Railway police in Kerala are on the hunt for five men who had allegedly molested a 16-year-old girl who was travelling on a train from Thrissur to Ernakulam. A case has been registered at the Thrissur Railway police in which the girl and her father alleged that five men had inappropriately touched her and when her father intervened, he was manhandled.

Officials in Thrissur Railway police told IANS that a complaint of molestation was received against five men by a 16-year-old girl and they have registered a case under Section 354 and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.

According to Thrissur Railway Police, the complaint mentioned that the men touched the girl's leg in an inappropriate manner after the train crossed Kalamassery and she complained to her father who was traveling along with her. When he intervened the men attacked him.

The girl and her father said that even though they complained to the Railway guard, he did not intervene and the father had to contact the Thrissur Railway police over the telephone. However, when the train reached Thrissur Railway station, the men dodged the police and made good their escape.

Thrissur Railway Police said that as the train originated from Ernakulam, the case will be handed over to the Ernakulam police station.

Police said that they are on the lookout for the offenders and have found out they are daily commuters.