Flesh trade fear: Private parties on cops' radar

Pune City Police are on their guards to bust flesh trade running in private bungalows, hotels and pubs on New Year's Eve. It is understood that this year, the police have a specific input that former dance bar girls are planning to crowd private party venues this year.u00a0

According to sources, low-key venues mostly private bungalows on the outskirts of the city, particularly in Lonavala and Khandala, are booked for this purpose.u00a0Police suspect that these bungalows may be rented out for prostitution.u00a0A senior Crime branch official, on the condition of anonymity, confirmed this and said, "This year there is a specific input on former dance bar girls from Mumbai trying to come to Pune for prostitution." He added, "We are closely watching any movements in this regard."

Sources in Mumbai Crime Branch also confirmed that many party organisers are engaging dance bar girls in smaller events and organising private parties in and around Mud Island. Police are keeping a close watch in these bungalows.u00a0Pune Rural Police are also vigilant and keeping a close eye on the bungalows in Lonavla and Khandala and other popular tourist spots to check ongoing activities.u00a0

Additional Superintendent of Police(Pune Rural) Ramnath Pokle said, "We have issued orders to keep a tab on private bungalows to check on parties." Pokale said, "We are also keeping close vigil around Khadakwasla, Panshet, Mulshi, Pavana and other areas where parties can be arranged."u00a0Pokale added, "Narcotic Cell is actively working and keeping a tab on such parties."

Online dating websites are also under scanner where pimps and the middlemen, have put the contact numbers and advertised that high profiles girls and escorts will be available for the night of December 31.u00a0According to source, escorts from various parts of the country such as Mumbai, Delhi, Amritsar, Kolkata and Jammu tend to come down to smaller cities like Pune on the Newu00a0Year Eve.

Foreign nationals who have come to the city eitheru00a0on tourist or educational visas and are planning to perform during New Year Eve, are under the police scanner.u00a0Assistant Commissioner of Police Rajkumar Shinde said, "So far we have received only one application from foreign performers in this regard."u00a0

"If any of the foreign nationals on educational visa are found performing, they will be deported back to their respective countries," added the senior police official.