Effect of the games: Delhi Police instructed to pursue traffickers and provide escort services

The Union home ministry has asked the Delhi Police to crack down on traffickers, escort services, and touts in response to reports that Delhi has grown to be a significant sex tourism destination. The government was prompted into action after reports suggested that sex workers and traffickers anticipated business to pick up around major sporting events like the Commonwealth Games. The Delhi Police has been informed and instructed to conduct raids and take strict action. The city police has also been instructed to ensure that airports, stations, and other points of transit are sanitized and unregistered tour operators, cab drivers, and travel guides are checked. The action follows a letter Mani Shankar Aiyar, the chief opponent of the Games in the Rajya Sabha, sent to tourism minister Kumari Selja asking the government what steps had been taken to stop sex tourism. The police stated that they are aware of the happenings and have updated MHA on the course of events. The tourist ministry, in turn, had brought up the issue with the home ministry. A senior police officer stated, “We have discovered unsolicited escort services being offered over the internet. Our cyber cell has been activated and we have asked our patrols, especially in areas like Paharganj, Saket, New Friends Colony, and Defence Colony, to be on the alert.” Sources said they are looking into the reports that over 5,000 foreign girls are likely to gather from nations like Armenia, Uzbekistan, and Ukraine. As a tout noted, all rooms in the hotel We have so reserved rooms in guest homes in residential areas like Mahipalpur and Palam. The majority of the women have come. Each client would be required to pay up to Rs 15,000 for an hour of service, and we have divided their labor into shifts. We have even given them courses in Hindi and English. Although students and models are in demand and their rates would be significantly lower than their foreign counterparts, foreigners do not like Indian girls. Senior criminal branch police responded that it was too difficult to entirely stop the “organized flesh trade” when approached. “We have set up flying units but we will urge residents to send us complaints once they smell something fishy,” they added. All suspicious activity, particularly at night, outside of marketplaces, significant hotels, and other locations will be watched, an officer declared. He continued by saying that all known pimps are already being monitored. The officer declared, “We will not tolerate any behavior that could damage the city’s reputation.”