Bhubaneswar, Oct 12: Several dance bars are operating in Bhubaneswar city without license and sores of girls are engaged here illegally.
According to government data, there are eight dance bars in the state and all are in the capital city. As many as 38 dancers are working in the bars. However, Commissionerate POlice report revealed that there are 18 dance bars in the city and over 100 girls working as dancers.
Two girls are dancing in Quality bar in Bapuji Nagar, six in Green Field bar of Hi-tech Sqaue, seven in Ashoka bar, seven in Live-up bar, four in Swagat bar, two in Ekamra bar, five in Dipali bar and five in Rain The Club bar, the excise department data revealed.
However, the Commissionerate Police had detained 96 girls during raid in city bars 2019. As many as 18 bars are operating in the city while seven bars have obtained license for dancing of girls.
Both excise department and police sleuths are aware of the illegal bars and taking hefty amount of bribe from the owners.
The bars are allowed to run till midnight and the excise department takes Rs 5,000 for more an hour and 30 minutes. However, the bar owners are running it whole night depositing the Rs 5,000.
Notably, two bar dancers have alleged harassment by owners and lodged complaints at the Capital police station in this regard last week.
One dancer belongs to the Brahmagiri area in the Puri district and another one hails from West Bengal.
The former one has alleged that she has been working in a bar for the last seven months. Once, the owner forced her to go with the guests. When she denied it, two employees thrashed her and threatened her.
The latter one has been working for the last two years as a bar dancer in Bhubaneswar. Recently, she quit the job and when went for payment, the owner forced her to get engaged in illegal acts.
The band leaders are engaged in illegal acts. They forcibly send girls with guests, she alleged. Besides, they also alleged that the bar girls are forced to dance till the wee hours.
