The girls hailed from a financially ailing family and exploiting their situation the ex-soldier got close with the girls and abused them.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The police on Friday arrested a 56-year-old ex-soldier under the Pocso Act for allegedly sexually abusing two minor siblings in Poovar station limits. The accused Shaji, a native of Poovar, was arrested after the victims, aged 10 and 12, revealed their ordeal to a counsellor engaged by the district panchayat.