Kohima Police have broken up a major sex-trafficking operation, rescuing a minor girl and arresting nine people connected to an organised network that exploited vulnerable women across the city. The breakthrough came after what started as a routine missing-person case quickly revealed a much larger criminal enterprise.
The investigation began when officers at the Women Police Station filed a suo moto FIR during a missing-person enquiry on August 30, 2025. Following leads, police traced the missing minor to a hotel in Kohima, where she was immediately rescued and provided medical care and counselling.
The girl’s statement painted a disturbing picture of forced prostitution and exploitation by multiple individuals. Her account prompted investigators to launch swift follow-up operations, recognising they had uncovered something far more extensive than an isolated incident. The testimony became the foundation for what would become a city-wide crackdown on human trafficking.
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A joint team from North Police Station and the Women Police Station, under the leadership of the Officer-in-Charge of the Women PS, executed targeted raids across multiple locations in Kohima. These operations relied on surveillance work and credible intelligence gathered during the initial missing-person enquiry.
The raids were carefully planned to maximise effectiveness, hitting several sites simultaneously to prevent suspects from escaping or destroying evidence. Late-night operations resulted in multiple detentions as police worked to map out the full scope of the trafficking network operating in the state capital.
Nine individuals were arrested and sent to judicial custody following police remand. The group includes both local residents and outsiders who allegedly served various roles as organisers, pimps, and agents within the trafficking operation.
According to interrogation accounts reported in local media, a man identified as “Rakesh” emerged as the alleged mastermind behind the operation. He reportedly arranged clients primarily from Guwahati and Shillong, establishing an inter-city network for exploitation.
A woman named “Neisedenuo” allegedly handled recruitment and acted as a pimp, working alongside Rakesh to coordinate the racket and exploit vulnerable girls across several locations in Kohima.
Local media coverage indicates this was not a recent development but rather a sustained, organised network that had been operating in the capital for an extended period. The arrests represent what police describe as a major breakthrough in combating human trafficking and sexual exploitation in the region.
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Police officials have characterised this operation as part of a zero-tolerance approach to human trafficking, signalling their commitment to completely dismantling such networks. The investigation continues to follow leads related to client sourcing from other cities and recruitment activities within Kohima itself.
Authorities have reached out to the public for assistance, appealing for information that could help the ongoing probe. They have assured confidentiality for anyone willing to provide tips or evidence. The investigation remains active as police work to identify and apprehend any remaining members of the network who may have escaped the initial sweep.
