SHILLONG, MAR 29: East Khasi Hills police apprehended 16 people — four of them alleged pimps — in coordinated raids on Saturday near religious sites and market stretches in Shillong, Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem said on Sunday.
Officers moved on complaints from citizens and local stakeholders about sex work operating close to a church and a gurdwara amid a rise in HIV cases.
Raids covered a stretch from Pegasus Hotel to Presbyterian English Service Church opposite SBI Main Branch, an area opposite MBOSE Lachumiere, and IGP Point.
The team, led by Additional SP (Ops) Ivan Diengdoh and assisted by DySP (WCC) Joyti Wahlang and station officers from Sadar, Women and Laitumkrah police stations, detained 16 persons “engaging in activities indicative of prostitution and related immoral practices.”
Syiem said four were agents “facilitating and procuring persons for prostitution, thereby playing an active role in the organised commission of such offences.”
Police seized a Swift Dzire and two scooters allegedly used in the offences.
A case was registered at Sadar Police Station (No. 119(03)2026) under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act and Section 110 of the Meghalaya Police Act.
