A series of complaints relating to security for hostellers have landed with the authorities over a couple of weeks recently. [break]
“We have received complaints like swindling of the girls, phone harassment and even attempts to traffic them,” said Superintendent of Police (SP) Puskar Karki, chief of Metropolitan Police Range Kathmandu (MPRK).
Karki said that the way girls hostels appear to be operating is not safe. “Organizations working on violence against women have also raised their voice,” he added.
Addressing the situation, MPRK has started collecting data on the hostels, as directed by the District Administration Office (DAO). Besides collecting data the authorities are also going to look into the legitimacy of the facilities.
“We have written to the District Education Office and the Company Registrar´s Office, asking about their legal status and the need for monitoring mechanisms,” Karki said.
Officials estimate that a majority of hostels operate like households, avoid legal registration and thus remain free from tax liabilities.
“Ours is a pro-active approach,” Karki said.
The authorities have started keeping an eye on the hostels at a time when a trafficking racket reportedly tried to slip a few hostel girls into India a few days ago.
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