Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Feb 27: "Rather than the cases of girls going missing, phenomenal growth of prostitution racket in coastal Karnataka has given cause for worry. Prostitution cannot proliferate without the knowledge and support of police department. Therefore, we strongly suspect involvement of police in this business," said chairperson of Karnataka State Women's Commission, Nagalakshmi Bai.

Addressing a press conference here on Monday February 26, she said that she got shocking information during the previous progress review meetings. "I have been informed by women activists and officials that as compared to the past when one girl went missing everyday on an average, now one girl every 15 minutes is becoming the victim of prostitution racket. We wrote to the state home minister, and got his response. The police department has been strictly instructed to act strongly against this menace," she stated.

She said that she has got information about brothels being operated from restaurants, resorts and houses in Mangaluru. "We have pooled information and given instructions to superintendents of police and higher officials. The police department also has been vested with the challenging responsibility of protecting the interests of women. They need to sincerely work towards this cause, and the police have been warned against being lethargic towards this responsibility," she said.

Nagalakshmi Bai pointed out that the family of Akshata, who was recently killed by her college mate, living at Mulleriya, lives in abject poverty and noted that none of the political leaders from Karnataka coast have visited the family and consoled its grieving members. She said she abhors the way politics is being brought into play even in deaths.