Residents irked by CSWs

The police have expressed their inability to do anything and the area has started attracting anti-social elements entertained by the CSWs, claim residents.

For the women in the area it has been a particularly difficult time. Says a resident living on the Corporation Road, 8220;We are hesitant to venture out after 7 pm. Girls find it difficult to go out with friends with so many unpleasant characters lurking around. Some even try to approach them which is extremely disturbing.8221;

According to police inspector in-charge of Deccan Gymkhana police station, Ram Kondhalkar, the spill over is a logical extension of the city8217;s growth. 8220;Budhwar Peth is saturated with CSWs. And they come from poor families. Unless they are rehabilitated the trend will continue.8221;

But then who does the rehabilitation? According to police sub-inspector Rekha Salunke manning the Shukrawar Peth police chowky, 8220;There is very little work being done for their rehabilitation.8221;

Salunke should know having involved herself actively in the welfare of the CSWs. 8220;The NGOs are doing their best but the influx from Nepal, Andhra Pradesh, Mumbai and Karnataka adds to the population. How can any agency rehabilitate all of them?,8221; she points out. According to her, while there were around 1500 CSWs registered with them, on Monday there are over 2500 CSWs. 8220;With so many around, they are bound to look for other areas which is logical,8221; she says.

But this logic finds no takers among the residents. Says D V Lonkar whose bungalow is right in front of the rickshaw stand: 8220;It is so embarrassing for us and the women residents. The soliciting starts at 7 pm and attracts a very unpleasant crowd,8221; he claims.

A few months ago, the residents had started a signature campaign. It brought temporary results but went back to what it was. And so the story continues. Says Lonkar, 8220;I complained to the police inspector in-charge of Deccan Gymkhana police station before Kondhalkar. But nothing concrete happened. We had written to the then DCP too, but the police keep expressing their inability to take action.8221;

Ask the constables on duty at the Udyan police chowki right next to the Balgandhrava Rangmandir and they look helpless. 8220;The area across the road is beyond our jurisdiction,8221; one constable points out. 8220;It comes under Shivajinagar police chowky. It is their duty.8221;

When the same problem is presented to the Shivajinagar police chowky they are equally helpless. 8220;Where is the manpower to patrol all the areas. We are already stretched to the limit,8221; says a constable.

So the residents come back to the Udayan police chowky since it is right next door. But other practical problems emerge. Says the constable on night duty, 8220;When we round them up, they are let off with meagre fines of Rs 50 and a warning. They are back on the road the next day. When we nab them again, they flout their receipts. We are left to shoulder the blame.8221; Adds another constable, 8220;The amount we spend in trying to book them is more than the fine they pay.8221;

A feeling that Kondhalkar echoes. 8220;We pick them up and they are let off. But we must understand that this is more of a social problem than a law and order problem. No lady takes to the profession by choice. It is circumstances that force her into commercial sex. What can we do?,8221; he asks.

So, till a solution comes up, society will have to increase its level of the age-old tacit understanding.