A disturbing investigation by News Tamil 24×7 has unveiled a web of illegal activities, including drug abuse and alleged sexual misconduct, operating with impunity from within the abandoned shops of the old bus station complex in the heart of Salem city. Despite multiple complaints and the presence of minors involved in these acts, the local police have reportedly failed to take any substantial action, sparking outrage among social activists and the community.
The old bus station, located centrally in Salem, was renovated years ago into a two-story complex under Smart City Scheme, housing over a hundred shops intended for commercial use. However, these shops have remained locked and unused, transforming the area into a dangerous hub for anti-social elements.
This bus stand serves as a critical transit point for thousands of commuters, with an estimated five thousand school and college students passing through daily. It is here, in the shadows of the vacant establishments, that illicit activities have taken root.
During an undercover investigation, the news team witnessed firsthand the brazen nature of these crimes. Individuals were seen entering the vacant shops in succession to smoke and sell cannabis. More alarmingly, evidence points to the operation of illicit sexual activities within these premises.
Predatory Environment and Shocking Evidence
Sources within the business community and social activists have alleged that these spaces are being used for private meetings, raising serious concerns for the safety of minors. The investigation found beds arranged inside some of the rooms and evidence of sex work taking place. The most alarming aspect, according to the report, is the potential threat to school and college girls, with concerns that students, some in uniform, are being lured into these deserted spaces. The discovery of used women’s underwear and condoms scattered inside has confirmed the nature of the activities occurring there.
The investigation further revealed that the illegal acts are not confined to adults, with minors deeply entangled in this ecosystem of crime.
Minors Caught and Released; Police Fail to Act
The news team witnessed three minors selling cannabis on the premises. They apprehended the individuals and handed them over to the Salem Town Police. However, the police reportedly released them without conducting any proper investigation or filing a report. This failure to act against juvenile offenders is seen as a critical lapse that will only embolden the criminals operating in the area. Reports also indicate that drug abuse is rampant, with individuals openly taking turns to inject drugs inside the shops.
Business organization executives and the municipal administration have reportedly submitted multiple complaint petitions to the Salem Town Police Station over an extended period, but no investigation has been initiated. The report states that despite being informed, the police have turned a blind eye, and this inaction is the primary reason these illegal activities are flourishing.
Social activists are now demanding urgent and decisive intervention from both the police and the municipal authorities. They have insisted that the entire area be sealed off immediately without any further delay, expressing shock and concern over the sight of school children engaging in smoking cannabis, consuming alcohol, and injecting drugs.
Furthermore, activists are calling on the municipal administration to break the deadlock by finally auctioning the shops through proper legal channels. Bringing the spaces into public use is seen as the only permanent solution to drive out the anti-social elements who have claimed the area as their own. If these shops are leased out and opened for legitimate business, the activists believe these illegal activities will naturally cease.
As of this report, there has been no official response from the Salem Town Police or the municipal administration regarding the serious allegations and the demand for a thorough investigation.
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