SURAJ NANDREKAR
PANJIM: Being one of the most sought after tourist destinations around the globe for its pristine beaches, food and hospitality, Goa has also achieved a dubious distinction, in the recent past, of being a den of drugs and prostitution.
Documents available with Herald reveal that in the past three years the State has registered 113 cases and rescued around 249 victims.
Information also reveals that 290 accused have been involved in the cases and 259 have been arrested and have been released on bail pending trials.
Statistics also reveal that most of the cases have been registered by the Crime Branch (29) and Calangute Police (23).
Statistics also show the cases are mainly in the northern tourist belts of Calangute, Candolim, Baga and Anjuna.
However, sources reveal, in almost all cases the actual mastermind or the kingpin is always at large and hence the business flourishes. “Also, in most cases the bookings are done online and hence remain undetected,” said the source.
According to a report compiled by local NGO ARZ, women from as many as 18 states across India are trafficked into Goa’s sex trade, which also encompasses the many shady massage parlours used as a front by the prostitution mafia.
Prostitution in India’s smallest State is a deeply disturbing phenomenon at least for the locals. As outlined by the NGO, “The demand is mainly created by domestic tourists, who come in groups without their families. Many young boys and middle-aged men coming from neighbouring cities are looking for sexual gratification.”
Countless websites sell sex in Goa, complete with 24-hour cellphone contacts. Morever, several groups of tourists, especially those in the famous Calangute beach stretch, have been duped by pimps, who first offer massage and sex services and then beat up the tourists after relieving them of their money. The police are rarely informed.
A Calangute local says, police very well know how the girls lure tourists after 10 pm but choose to turn a blind eye. “Whatever the cases are registered is just a tip of an iceberg,” he says.
He says Goa Tourism has already suffered a beating because of the proliferation of prostitution as well as illegal massage parlours here. “The government’s efforts to register massage parlours with the health authorities a few years ago have not found many takers,” he says.
Panjim Police Inspector Siddhant Shirodkar feels there is no fear in the minds of the girls involved of any punishment. “The girls know very well they will be called as victims and not accused and after some counselling they will be let off,” Shirodkar says adding the girls again get involved in the same profession.
Shirodkar says there is need for a change in law to eradicate this menace from the society. “It is the oldest profession and people from various parts of country get involved due to unemployment. They find this as easy way to earn money,” he continues.
