Kohima sex trafficking racket: Nine in police custody, minor girl rescued

DIMAPUR — In a major crackdown on human trafficking, Kohima Police rescued a minor girl and arrested nine persons allegedly involved in a sex trafficking racket operating in the state capital. The operation was first reported by Eastern Mirror on September 1.

According to a press release issued by Kohima Police on Saturday, the rescue was carried out on August 30 following a suo motu FIR registered at Kohima Women Police Station during an enquiry into a missing person case.

Acting on credible intelligence, police traced the victim to a hotel in Kohima, where she was rescued and provided with immediate medical assistance and counselling.

The girl reportedly told investigators that she had been coerced into prostitution and sexually exploited by multiple individuals.

Related: Major operation in Kohima: Suspected sex racket uncovered, several held

Based on her statement, one of the accused, identified as 31-year-old Neisedenuo Thuphre, was apprehended. She confessed to being involved in prostitution and admitted that she worked under the main accused, 32-year-old Rakesh Bromo, who allegedly coordinated the network.

Police said that Rakesh acted as the mastermind, arranging clients primarily from Guwahati and Shillong, while Neisedenuo recruited girls. He also confessed to personally exploiting the victims.

A coordinated team from North Police Station and Women Police Station, led by the officer-in-charge of Women PS, carried out raids that resulted in multiple arrests.

The suspects include both locals and non-locals, alleged to have acted as pimps, organisers, and agents facilitating the trade.

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So far, nine people have been arrested and remanded to judicial custody.

Kohima Police informed that the racket trafficked and exploited vulnerable girls across several locations in the capital city. The probe is ongoing to identify additional members of the network and to trace wider linkages.

The police reiterated its “zero-tolerance policy towards crimes against women and children” and affirmed its commitment to dismantling organised trafficking networks.

It also appealed to the public to come forward with any information that could aid the investigation, assuring that informants’ identities would remain confidential.

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