The Pen is mightier than the Sword

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Prostitution menace near Crematory

WEST SIDE PLUS (TIMES OF INDIA- Jun 2002)

By Skimmy Gupta


“The work of repairing and widening of culvert(bridge )at Waghjibai crematory is being carried out with sincere efforts of local corporator under the MP funds of Sunil Dutt “ was written in bold ,colourful display on the local corporator’s (Congress ) board and proudly placed right at the crematory’s entrance lately.

The board was put up for almost entire month of May ,wherein the 25 year old Waghjibai Crematory,Parle signal ,S,V Road ,Juhu was undergoing a face lift after many years .Its present narrow one way entrance and exit is soon to be made two way to reduce congestion and provide ease to commuters and visitors.

But the local people are hardly impressed and concerned about the board and the uplift, as they feel that the crematory is facing a much more grevious problem---the ‘prostitute menace’ .It is troubling the residents and passerbys, giving them a tough time since past many months and police & concerned authorities are ignoring the issue..There are about 20-25 prostitutes standing and operating outside and in bylanes of crematory right from 6 pm onwards till midnight making lewd passes and vulgar movements.They stand on the main road near the signal, where hundreds of railway commuters,motorists including school children,women pass through daily which is highly embarrassing.Residents and local people allege that the Juhu Police beat chowky is just yards away from this place ,but they seem to be doing nothing.And over the months this nuisance has increased rapidly and this part of the posh area of Juhu looks like a red light area-- post evenings .

Sheikh ,incharge at the crematory says, “We are very much upset by these prostitutes standing in front and in bylanes of this place .We have even kept special security to shun them away but they do not listen.As the crematory is open to till midnight ,many people coming to this place in evening often feel embarrassed and complain to us.But what can we do? It is for the local police to curb the nuisance. “

A reliable Source of crematory on condition of anonymity revealed these prostitutes operate at the border of the Juhu Police station and Santacruz police station jurisdictions,they often exploit this fact.When some security shout at them ,they shift to other jurisdiction and police says that they have come from other side and it is not our duty.

PORNOGRAPHIC VIDEO PARLOUR INSIDE CREMATORY PREMISES
Apart from the prostitution ,there is also an illegal video parlour exhibiting pornographic and blue English movies operating inside the crematory premises.At the entrance ,one can see obscene posters outside a small hut on right hand side.Local residents and visitors to the crematory find it highly embarrassing to pass this spot due to fact that such vulgar posters can be permitted just next to crematory.3-4 shows of such adult films are shown regularly at minimal charges and all age groups including small children form the audience.


Sonalee Shah,a housewife residing near Parle station says, “It is highly embarrassing to walk through this spot after 6 in the evenings.The prostitutes block the whole footpath and there is hardly any space to walk.With kids by your side ,to pass this spot is a nightmare at times.”

Ram Prasad,who performed his cousin’s last rites at the crematory last week said, “When our family members and friends came out of the crematory at 6 pm ,we were shocked to confront 10-15 prostitutes in our way just at the entrance and bylanes.Due to death ,we all were already sad and this shocking sight depressed us further.”Hundreds of students pass through this stretch while going to the local railway station ."These females standing ,making lewd gestures creates a bad influence on young minds of students.I feel the police authorities should do something as early as possible to stop all this,”says Rajiv Jathar,a college student .

Ashok B.Jadhav ,local corporator told West Side Plus, “With the help of Sunil Dutt ,we are repairing the bridge of crematory as people used to face lot of problems.I fully agree to the prostitution menace flourishing around this area.And also it is increasing day by day.During my investigation,we have found out there is one family of local Nehru Nagar ,Juhu who is carrying out this illegal racket.And it is due to this one family,the whole area has acquired a bad name. Juhu police officials have been passing on the buck and responsibility to Santacruz police station and vice versa.Anyway this problem is on top of my agenda and have full co-operation of local people and Nehru nagar people.We also plan to take out a morcha /dharna to protest against this serious problem.”

Senior Police Inspector, S.Sakhare ,Juhu Police Station said ,“We are looking into this matter.As for now ,we are always driving the females away from the spot regularly.But soon ,we will be taking stringent action against them.”

When the correspondent spoke to local Corporator,Ashok B.Jadhav , he admitted that the repair and widening work of bridge was being carried out at the crematory wirh the help of MP funds of Sunil Dutt.He also agreed to the fact that his party's board was placed at the crematory's entrance to announce the same and the prostitute problem around the area is flourishing.But within hours of speaking to local corporator, the proud claim on the board was completely erased out and the empty board was lifted from the entrance the very next day.

But still the problem persists with females standing at evenings,creating a nuisnace,embarassing the passer bys .

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