Meghalaya police have arrested 16 people, including four pimps from various locations in the state capital, a police official said on Sunday.
“The raids were conducted based on complaints from citizens and local stakeholders about sex workers operating close to a church and a gurdwara amid a rise in HIV cases,” Vivek Syiem, the district police chief of East Khasi Hills, said.
The raids were conducted on Saturday night along the stretch from Pegasus Hotel to Presbyterian English Service Church opposite SBI Main Branch, an area opposite MBOSE Lachumiere, and IGP Point, he said.
“Sixteen persons were apprehended from different locations noted above while engaging in activities indicative of prostitution and related immoral practices,” Syiem said.
He said four of these arrested persons are “pimps/ agents, facilitating and procuring persons for the purpose of prostitution, thereby playing an active role in the organised commission of such offences.”
Police have 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.
Monday, March 30, 2026