SILCHAR, Feb 11 � The brothel in Silchar town situated at Nagapatty, houses near 1000 commercial sex workers (CSW) with families. Prostitution has been thriving here since the World War II when local girls serviced soldiers traveling to frontline stations through this garrison town. It is rumoured that the area, during the pre-Independence period, was also frequented by English planters. However, the character of the area has changed over the decades. The illegal flesh trade racket has now flourished in connivance with police.
It is also said that this brothel established to serve the military people that had different camps across this region . For their entertainment this practise is still prevailing. Over the years people from different places across the country visited the place.
Some of the families have built their houses in the campus. They have children too. Their children are going to school and are maintaining a regular family life despite their guardians profession. Sources said that most of the sex workers are run by the agent and are looked by the elderly women called mashi.
Niba Roy, founder secretary of Nivedita Nari Sangtha talking to this correspondent said that her organisation is running a project in the area about AIDS intervention, treatment , use of condom. Time to time the organisation counsel them.
The most disturbing fact is that majority of the sex workers migrate to other States, Roy said adding that spread of HIV is higher.
Debojit Gupta, an NGO member which is running a project in the area about Targeted Intervention Projects (TIP) said that the girls land here due to financial constraints or are trafficked. Many of them join the profession due to easy earning, he said adding that some of the sex workers are widow and divorcee. Talking about the age group he disclosed that right from teenage to middle aged women are involved in the profession. The plight of aged women is very pathetic, Gupta added. The organisation is further planning for rehabiliting them in the coming days, he added.
It may be mentioned that during the day time mostly college going students, rickshawpullers, police personnel and businessmen visit the area.
Earlier, on January 20 in a joint operation by Meghalaya and Assam police four girls were rescued from the red-light area and all the victims hail from Shillong.
