Nexus between traffickers and cops: NGO

Nexus between traffickers and cops: NGO
TNN

PANAJI: If you thought that police constable Rajesh Sawant from Pernem police station, who has been suspended for his alleged role in a
prostitution racket in Pernem, is one rare policeman who approached a middleman of a prostitution racket and not only demanded money for permitting the prostitution racket, but also asked for a girl for himself, then think again .

A recently conducted study on the prostitution phenomenon in Goa, particularly post demolition of the red light area at Baina and closure of dance bars in Mumbai, has revealed that there is a nexus between traffickers and police. The study conducted by NGO Arz, that works with trafficked victims, was released in June 2009.

Sample these cases:

Six girls were rescued sometime ago by the police after raiding a lodge at Porvorim. The girls said that they had obtained the mobile number of an agent named Shiva, originally from Kerala, who was doing business in Goa through their (the girls) agents and customers in Bombay. These girls revealed that in the past when they were caught by the police at discotheques or beaches, they were released by the police after speaking to Shiva over the phone. The girls added that this time they had been raided as Shiva had failed to pay the monthly bribe amounting between Rs 5 and Rs 6 lakh a month to avoid raids.

A known supplier of girls in Pernem taluka used to keep young girls, including minors, in his own house. His neighbour complained to the police about these activities, resulting in the police raiding the house and rescuing two girls. But as the supplier was friendly with the police, he was let off.

Four young girls trafficked to Goa by an agent for commercial sex work were rescued' in a police raid in September 2007 from a bungalow in Mapusa. The police first demanded Rs 50,000 in cash if they wanted to be let off scott free without a case, which they thought the agent would arrange. In fact, the driver who was also in the bungalow agreed to give Rs 30,000 and asked if he could phone the agent to arrange for the remaining amount. There were only 2 male policemen during the rescue and they did not allow calls. They started seizing mobiles, and then took the women one by one to the room and touched their private parts in the name of investigation. They were then taken to the Mapusa police station.

"There is a close nexus between traffickers and the police. This existed in the red-light area and continues to exist in Goa. Once caught by the police, the perpetrators only change the location of their operation but do not give up business. In some cases, it is intensified in terms of increase in the number of girls, more contacts in the flesh trade, more police and political linkages," said Arun Pandey, director, Arz.

However, police spokesperson SP AV Deshpande said, "As and when a matter is brought to our notice, we take necessary action."

12 July 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition