All through the day, the district collector and superintendent of police were gathering information about those who participated in the auction in a red light area in this town earlier this week.

Following the publication of a report in The Indian Express about the auction of women between 16 and 30 years, the State Government directed the district administration to submit a report. But in the absence of evidence, the district administration yesterday sent a report to the State Government reportedly denying that the auction took place at all.

Collector Vasudha Mishra said, ``This is just a preliminary report. Our efforts will continue. And the moment we get clinching evidence, we will revise the report.''

Police superintendent Ravi Gupta last night interrogated four of the 20 women present at theauction. The women reportedly told the police chief that the meeting was called by the community elders to sort out issues, including the imposition of a hefty fine on pimps who had ``violated the earlier contract''.

Though the police deny any auction was held, they rounded up a number of suspects, including a municipal corporator, said to be the kingpin. A number of red light areas all over the West Godavari district were raided and sex workers taken into custody.

The major hurdle the district administration is facing in tracing the culprits is the sudden disappearance of certain ``sources''. Except the four girls who were present at the auction, none of the prime suspects has been nabbed.

Many social workers and citizens agree in private that the auction of women for the flesh trade is common in a particular community, but do not like to go on record for fear of reprisals.

Even a senior doctor, who told The Indian Express that one of her clients was sold in auction to a broker in Mumbai, nowrefuses to talk. ``Please do not drag me into the controversy. I do not know anything,'' is all she prefers to say now.

Meanwhile, the entire red light belt in the district wore a deserted look today, with the flesh trade having come to a standstill. Sex workers have either been taken into custody or left the area fearing police action.

This reporter who went round the red light areas yesterday afternoon failed to contact a single sex worker. Even the four girls present at the auction were kept at an undisclosed place by the police.

The police did not allow reporters to meet the girls, saying the investigation was on. ``You can talk to them freely at their home after we release them,'' a senior police official said on persistent requests from the press corps that the women be allowed to speak to mediapersons.

AP Women Finance Corporation managing director GD Aruna, who is investigating the reported auction, went around the red light areas for first-hand information. Though the police describe theincident as ``a routine community meeting to levy fine on defaulters'', insiders point out that it was indeed an auction.