PANAJI: The owner of a beauty saloon, located at Candolim, has accused police of undue harassment and obstructing her from conducting legitimate business by raiding her business premises repeatedly, and taking away the girls working there.

Addressing media persons, Ms Mahalaxmi Mishra, the owner of the beauty lounge, located at Candolim, accused the police of raiding her residence in the night, while she and the girls were returning home. She further alleged that they were not allowed to contact the owner of the premises and were taken to the police station in the company of male policemen.

She said, "I had taken pains to train these girls under a professional beauty expert, Rajendra Prasad from Miles Stones for two long months. Besides I also imparted beauty tips for the last eight months and now the police are harassing me and destroying my business, which I brought up with great pains."

When contacted, the DySP, Mr P L Mapari said that they raided the parlour as there were many complaints from the members of the public. He said that the girls were brought to the police station to verify their involvement in prostitution activities. He further informed that all the girls were rescued and questioned by Ms Audrey Pinto, an NGO member, to determine whether they were involved in the sex trade.

He said that they all gave different versions and that they are suspected to be involved in the sex trade and the raid was conducted under the watchful eyes of two panch witnesses. He further said that the girls were produced before the SDM, who remanded them to the protective home at Merces.