Sex rackets ‘flourishing’ in Odisha capital. Here’s why

Bhubaneswar: After fabulous opening of the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup the State capital, the flesh trade is reportedly flourishing in the city during the international sport event and upcoming New Year.

The pimps are reportedly ‘active’ in view of the influx of visitors from different parts of the country and overseas to Bhubaneswar to watch hockey matches as well as for refreshment during Christmas holidays.

According to reports, as many as 30 sex rackets engaging sex workers from foreign nationals and neighbouring State of West Bengal are running in the city.

Recently, the Quick Action Team (QAT) had busted a sex racket at an apartment under Khandagiri police limits. A person caught during the raid identified as Keshab Sahoo revealed the police that the pimps are targeting approximately Rs 1 crore turnover from the illegal trade during the period.

The sex workers have been accommodated at rented houses on outskirts of the city to be engaged in prostitution during the hockey event and the New Year celebrations, he reportedly told the police.

Based on his statement, the Commissionerate police is planning to conduct a series of raids after preparing a list of sex rackets operating in Bhubaneswar, a police source said.

This year, the police have arrested few persons in connection with sex rackets in various areas  under Sahid Nagar, Nayapalli and Laxmi Sagar police limits and rescued young women.

The rescue of seven Thai women from H2O SPA in Bapuji Nagar area and two more Thai women from a market complex in Kharavel Nagar in 2018 and a woman from Uzbekistan country in two years ago indicates that the foreign national women are reportedly engaged in the sex trade.