KOCHI: The Kochi City police have intensified the search for two foreign nationals who allegedly escaped from a shelter home at Kakkanad while awaiting deportation. A special investigation team (SIT) has been formed to trace the women—Cassandra Drammeah, 28, from The Gambia; and Fathima Codou Fall, 34, from Senegal— who ran away from Sakhi One Stop Centre, a shelter facility under the Women and Child Development department, by 7.15 p.m. on Friday.A missing case has been registered at the Thrikkakara police station under Section 57 of the Kerala Police Act, based on a complaint filed by a psychosocial counsellor of the centre. According to the FIR, the duo managed to flee the centre after pushing the complainant aside.“The SIT comprises the Inspector and sub-inspector of Thrikkakara and members of the special operation groups from different police stations. We have issued a lookout circular against the women and are coordinating with law enforcers at airports and railway stations,” a police officer involved in the probe said.The women had been housed at the Sakhi centre based on an order from the Ernakulam Judicial First Class Magistrate Court. The duo were arrested in March last year for overstaying even after their visas got expired.“They were arrested by the Cheranalloor police from a hotel at Ponekkara, where they were staying illegally. They were convicted and slapped with a fine by the court, and were ordered to be sheltered at the Sakhi centre till deportation procedures were completed,” the Cheranalloor police said.Published - September 28, 2025 01:47 am IST