Flesh trade booming in Prakasam district

Ongole: Poverty is driving several women into flesh trade in Prakasam district. Once they fall into the trap, they cannot escape. Those, who enter into it, are tortured and forced to submit themselves to whims of brothel owners.

• Poverty is driving women into hellholes
• Once they fall into the trap, they cannot escape
• They appeal to higher officials to rescue them

According to unofficial estimates, not less than 12,000 women have been leading a miserable life in brothels in the district. The flesh trade has been divided into six categories –home best, street best, brothel best, highway best, secret best and phone best. The women in the trade are reportedly in the age group of 18-35. Some of the women trapped in the trade are those ditched by boyfriends and those enticed by pimps masquerading as rich or high profile officers.

The nefarious of sex racket in the district has come to light following the escape of a woman from a brothel in Ongole a week ago. Though the brothel was in operation for several months and complaints from neighbours, no action was taken until the woman managed to flee from the clutches of the pimps and rescued by neighbours.

The women forced into the flesh trade have several tales of woe to narrate if there is someone to listen to. There are innumerable non-governmental agencies, which are also called voluntary organisations, but none of them seem to be interested in focussing their attention on launching operation rescue of innocent women from clutches of pimps.

The police too have so far turned a blind eye to the ordeal of these unfortunate women. They appeal to the higher police officials to rescue them from the hellhole. Will their voice be heard at least now?