Human trafficking has risen in IT City Bengaluru, where the oldest profession of prostitution has been thriving in recent years. Women and young girls from Delhi, Assam, Kolkatta, Jharkhand , Maharashtra and the north east are involved in the flesh trade here , according to the police.
The racket not only runs under the garb of massage parlours, but is rising on WhatsApp, Facebook , Linkedin and Twitter where advertisements by escorts and those offering ‘girlfriend experiences’ are plenty. The online escort services give a wide range of options for pick ups in areas like Indiranagar, Banaswadi, Jayanagar, Electronics City and Whitefield and one of the most popular is Eijipura Circle in Kormangala, going by the police.
Besides, the trade flourishes in the city’s pubs and bars too. As recently as June 30, the Bengaluru police raided a popular pub located in Indiranagar, a party hub of the city and rescued 32 women who were reportedly forced into sex work.
The pub , Mango Tree, located on the busy 80 Feet Road in Indiranagar, doubled up as a dance bar on weekends. According to the police, the women were forced to engage in obscene acts as well.
Said a senior police officer, “We have been cracking down on live bands in the city, which employ women and later force them into prostitution. Over the last two months several raids have been conducted and the women have been rescued.”
The Central Crime Branch (CCB) too has been taking action to curb the flesh trade in residential areas where people have become aware of it in their midst. Police in mufti have been raiding these “homes” to expose the racket.
