Massage parlours under police scanner

KOCHI: The massage parlours in the city are again under police scanner. The police have tracked several cases and busted a mafia which was engaged in flesh trade. The mafia has been operating by soliciting customers through advertisements in newspapers and internet.Recently, the shadow police led by Assistant Commissioner (Special Branch) M N Ramesh conducted raid on an ayurveda massage centre based on the advertisement given in a newspaper and four cases were booked under the Immoral Traffic Prevention Act.Police sources said that they had received solid information on the illegal activities at some other massage centres also. Action will be initiated against them soon, sources said.According sources in the city police, the parlours were functioning with the connivance of tourist guides and agents.It is the guides and travel agents who bring customers to these illegal dens. They also solicit customers through advertisements in newspapers and internet.“A list of the parlours is being prepared and they will be kept under close watch. We will not allow  any unlawful activities there,” Ramesh said.The police officers said the presence of a large floating population mainly consisting of youngsters from the affluent class is the reason behind the sprouting of such parlours in the city.“We are keeping a close tab on the centres that had given advertisements in newspapers and internet. In the raids that were conducted on Tuesday, we busted a racket which had  given advertisements offering homosexual activity. They used to charge Rs 500 for an hour. Eight other centres are also under the scanner and we will bust them too. These centres neither have a certificate nor any kind of approval from the Tourism Department. They function only for promoting prostitution and homosexuality,” Ramesh said.