According to Anurodh Thapa, a hotel entrepreneur, a number of cabin restaurants in the area are promoting prostitution. “If we strictly monitor these cabin restaurants, we can control flesh trade that has been flourishing in the area,” said Thapa.
The hoteliers had also set a code of conduct for cabin restaurants earlier making it mandatory for female workers to wear uniforms and maintain decency. Now with the new code of conduct coming into implementation, the cabin restaurants would not be allowed to employ female workers below the age of 16. They would also have to be legally registered, said Thapa.[break]
According to locals, Itahari bus park area has become the hub of cabin restaurants. “It is difficult for us to live in the area where restaurants openly promote prostitution,” said Som Raj Dhakal, a local. “We are not demanding the owners to shut down their restaurants completely. We just want them to stop promoting prostitution in the area,” added Dhakal.
According to Sunsari Police Chief SP Saurav Rana, lack of education and unemployment has lured many girls into prostitution. “We will punish cabin restaurant owners if they are found promoting prostitution,” said Saurav.
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