KATHMANDU: Reema Thakuri, an 18-year-old who hails from Nepalgunj and is a student of a Kathmandu college, intentionally joined the flesh trade. The XII-grader, who is among the brightest students of the college, has been in police custody since Nepal Police busted an Internet based prostitution racket.

“I’m sad that I got caught. But to be honest, I enjoyed my days while in the profession,” she told The Himalayan Times from behind the bars.

Asked what prompted her to join the flesh trade, she said, “It was my friends, who told me that if I wanted to make easy money and enjoy life, prostitution was the best way. I did not give a second thought.”

She also revealed that prior to joining the flesh trade, she was having a hard time eking out a living in “costly and fast-paced Kathmandu”.

Megha Sapkota, a 22-year-old girl from Kathmandu, also willingly joined flesh trade to lead a ‘lavish life’. An air-hostess by profession in one of Kathmandu’s reputed airlines, money was not an issue for Sapkota, as she was already earning a handsome salary. “Being an air-hostess, I had to attend many parties. I loved dancing and drinking,” she said, adding, “Money and lust for branded clothes and accessories drove me crazy. The friends I made were rich, lived lavishly. Most of them had their own cars. I loved their company.”

Sunita Rai (17), from Dharan, who is also in police custody, said, “I wish the government legalised this trade. There are many girls like me wanting to live this way.”

Nawaraj Silwal, SSP at the Metropolitan Police Range, told The Himalayan Times that the some of the capital’s five-star hotels and ‘exclusive restaurants’ are being used to operate the flesh trade.

“This trend in flesh trade is unstoppable,” Silwal said, adding that the number of people involved in flesh trade is between 25,000 and a lakh.

The police have also taken into custody Prabha Shrestha, a 40-year-old woman, who they said works as contact person for those girls. Shrestha got her orders from email. She was the one to direct the girls where to go.

SSP Silwal added that ‘Mr John’, believed to be the kingpin of the racket, speaks fluent Nepali, and has been absconding. “We’re hunting him,” he added. John takes online orders, while Shrestha, who pockets twice the sum given to the girls directly involved in prostitution, does the rest of the jobs, police said.

“I had to send my son for education in Australia and I desperately needed money. That’s why I got into the profession,” Shrestha said.

Shrestha, meanwhile, said she had not forced any girls into prostitution. “No one can force anyone to join this profession. Girls come and go as they wish,” she added. (Names have been changed to protect identities)