Kohima: In a major crackdown on human trafficking, the Nagaland Police has busted an organised sex trafficking network operating in Kohima, rescuing a minor girl and arresting nine people, including key masterminds.
The operation was initiated following a suo motu FIR registered by the Kohima Women Police Station after a missing person report led to a detailed enquiry.
The victim was traced and successfully rescued from a hotel in Kohima on August 30.
The police informed that upon rescue, the victim was immediately provided with necessary medical assistance and counselling.
Her statement revealed that she was coerced into prostitution and subjected to sexual exploitation by multiple individuals.
Based on the victim’s disclosure, police arrested one of the prime accused, Neisedenuo. During questioning, she admitted to working both as a prostitute and a pimp under the main accused, Rakesh, and confessed to playing a key role in recruiting the minor victim.
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 the arrest of additional suspects central to the network.
The accused include both locals and non-locals, alleged to have acted as organizers, pimps, and agents facilitating the trade.
During interrogation, the mastermind, Rakesh, confessed to arranging clients, primarily from Guwahati and Shillong, while Neisedenuo recruited the girls. He also admitted to personally exploiting the victims.
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Investigations have revealed that the two individuals coordinated a prostitution ring, trafficking and exploiting vulnerable girls across several locations in Kohima. So far, nine people have been arrested and are in judicial custody as the investigation continues to identify the wider network and others involved.
“Our investigations are ongoing to trace the wider linkages of this racket,” the Kohima Police PRO said.
