NGO official held for sexually assaulting minor girls

, Dec 6: An

official has been arrested on charges of sexually assaulting at least five girls in a hostel it was running in

, police said Friday.

The girls' hostel run by Shishu Bikash Kendra (Child Development Centre) in Koraput district's Podagada village, about 500 km from state capital Bhubaneswar, houses at least 18 girls aged 12-15.

Philip George, 51, director of the centre was allegedly sexually assaulting the girls after calling them to his residence located nearby, inspector-in-charge B. N. Karkara told IANS.

George was arrested Thursday after a 12-year-old victim complained to the police Dec 3 that she was raped by the director about three months ago, Karkara said.

Four others girls of the centre have also complained that George molested them, the officer added.

IANS