Sex-rackets in the capital city are flourishing, thanks to nonchalance of the police to launch crackdown or their silence because of regular tips. Consequently, the racketeers, days after being arrested, are seen back in business because the charges against them most of the times are frivolous which help them get bail very easily. Drastic actions against them are rare.
Even as locals have gone sick of the trend and are lodging complaints time and again, the cops look to be very casual. The result being innocent girls from rural and interior parts with vulnerable background are forced into flesh trade.
The guesthouses and lodges in several posh areas of the city run the flesh trade without botheration of raid as they manage to satisfy the cops by monetary gratification. The cops of the localities know the offenders and often reach there to collect their tips. They act against them only when they fail to get their share.
While it is mandatory to register all hotels and guest houses, it is not done. It is usually the unregistered ones where the business flourishes. The cops are well aware about the presence of these unregistered guest houses.
At times, girls from interior areas of the State are offered jobs and brought here only to be forced into flesh trade. At others, professionals from West Bengal and illegal Bangladeshi migrants are roped in. Some of them live in the slums of the city. Many others rent apartments and flats identifying themselves as marketing professionals or students. As per reliable sources, some of the actresses of Odia entertainment industry are also involved in the business of sex.