AUGUSTO RODRIGUES
KHALCHAWADA, ARAM BOL: Despite the arrest of three alleged traffickers and the rescue of seven women on Monday, resi dents of Arambol say the police action is merely cosmetic and have threat ened to intensify protests if prostitution and drug trafficking are not com prehensively addressed in their village. “It is not just about pros titution but also drug ped dling in the open. Despite the problem being report ed in O Heraldo (‘Arambol reels under drugs, prostitu tion,’ September 26, 2025) and us writing to the police in December last year, nothing was done,” disclosed an upset Parvati, who feels that local women are bearing the brunt of the situation.
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Villagers decided to unite and march to the Mandrem Police Station the other day after an Indian tour-ist allegedly attempted to solicit sexual favours from a village school teacher. “Once the news spread that she was asked to come
to bed, it was too much. It showed how deep the ma-laise had crept into our so-ciety,” rued local resident Casmiro Dias.
Three days after the rescue operation and two days after the arrest of the alleged pimps, resi-dents claim the sex trade continues on the beach and over the phone, with narcotics still easily available.
At around 4 pm on Wednesday, two Indian women were seen near rooms that had been visited by police along with locals on Monday, where no victims were found. “Since the Immoral Traffic Act has been amended, it is now difficult for us to detain anyone soliciting clients,” remarked Super intendent of Police (SP) Salim Shaikh, officiating as SDPO Pernem. “When it comes to arresting women, there are sever al constraints. For example, no woman can be detained after sunset and before sunrise. I am not implying that everything is fine. The beat staff has been transferred and the approach to policing is changing,” confessed Shaikh. Locals believe the situation has deteriorated to the point where visitors are unable to distinguish between local women and those involved in prostitution, allegedly due to the involvement of authorities and the panchayat in issuing NOCs to massage parlours. It is further alleged that an individual employed at Col vale Central Jail collects hafta. “This illegal business,” ac cording to local resident Mario Pires, “is managed by this individual,” he alleges. Mario’s allegations were partially corroborated by SP Shaikh, who stated, “It has come to our notice that this per son rents rooms close to the beach and such activities take place there. We have begun drawing the line.” The problem in Arambol, locals claim, is not limited to women soliciting business on the beach but extends to phone-based operations. “Shack owners and people selling artefacts on the beach provide tourists with phone num bers of people they can contact,” alleged a resident who requested anonymity out of fear. A phone number shared with O Heraldo appeared to substantiate claims that women are easily accessible over the phone. Excerpts from a conversation are as follows: “Yes, how can I help you?” asked a woman when the number was dialled. When asked whether she provided massages with “happy endings,” she replied, “Yes, where are you calling from? Send me your GPS and I will come.” As night falls, residents say Arambol’s atmosphere changes noticeably. Women of various nationalities are seen along the beach, drawing the attention of predomi nantly male Indian tourists. “We arrested five women originating from the African continent on Saturday. They have been kept at the deten tion home and will be deported,” disclosed SP Shaikh. While many locals allege that hashish and ganja are dis tributed by natives of Himachal Pradesh — claiming that most shacks are leased to them — intelligence officials link the sale of chemical narcotics to foreign nationals. “Russians are living in the hinterlands of the village, and foreigners in Arambol are not just involved in selling drugs but also manufacturing synthetic substances in jun gle hideouts. The problem is serious but not out of control. Inputs from local police are essential to track them,” stated an intelligence officer on condition of anonymity. If the beach is frequented largely by male Indian tour ists after sunset, the village of Tinto resonates with foreign visitors. Russians appear to outnumber other nationalities, with occasional Italian voices overheard, alongside fash ionably dressed Indian women. “Excuse me,” an Indian woman was overheard telling a male foreigner, “You should try this app. You will get what ever you need through it.” One section of the app reads: “Arambol Beach model call girl is not only glamorous and well-known high class, but it may also be the culture hub of the known high-class city.
