Men force their way into shelter housing bar girls

Officials at the State Home for Women, which is sheltering 120 girls who were recently rescued from 2 dance bars, say they are living under constant threats.

On May 8 and 9, the Ashoknagar police raided 2 dance bars — Nartaki on MG Road and Times Bar on Residency Road ­– and rescued 120 girls.

Following a court order, the girls were dropped off at the State Home for Women near Nimhans in the middle of the night, without police security. Ever since, many men in luxury cars have been visiting the correction facility, though entry for outsiders is strictly prohibited.

When officials of the Women and Child Development objected to their entry, the men reportedly threatened them, saying they were related to the girls and had a right to visit them.

According to officials, the men have been forcing themselves into the facility in the afternoon and at night, on the pretext of delivering food and other items. These men desperately want the girls out, so that they can resume business, officials said.

With just one security guard manning the main gate, officials said they stood no chance of warding off the men. Following the threats, officials of the facility shot off a letter to the Wilson Garden police on May 11, requesting round-the-clock police security. But all that the police have done is to post a constable at the facility for a few hours. In effect, the facility remains vulnerable.

When this reporter visited the facility on Friday, several cars were seen near the premises. Despite restrictions on entry, the men succeeded in delivering around 50 North Indian ‘thalis’.

The correction facility houses not just girls above 18 years of age, but also minor boys and girls. The inmates are given food cooked in the facility and outside food is not allowed.

Incidentally on Friday, the Bengaluru District Child Protection Unit hosted a summer camp for children on the premises. But seeing the large number of men and their activities, officials were wary of bringing children out to the grounds.

They said the orphaned/runaway children were easy victims to such “anti-social elements”. The officials are getting desperate and want the girls to be given bail. They say it’s becoming difficult for them to handle such a situation.

Admitting that the facility lacked any security, DCP Central Sandeep Patil said he would talk to the authorities concerned and ensure adequate security. “The correction facility also houses homes for minor boys and girls. Security is imperative here,” he added.