Sex racket busted in Meghalaya, BJP leader arrested, 6 children rescued, 73 people arrested
A sex racket was busted in the country’s northeastern state of Meghalaya on Saturday. Police raided this ‘brothel’ of BJP leader and rescued 6 minor children and arrested 73 people. About 400 bottles of liquor and more than 500 condoms have been recovered during the raid, the police officer said.
West Garo Hills district superintendent of police (SP) Vivekanand Singh told the news agency that based on a tip-off, a raid was conducted on Saturday at Rimpu Bagan, a farmhouse owned by terrorist-turned-politician Marak. During this we have rescued six minors, out of which four boys and two girls have been rescued. These children were found locked in dirty rooms like dirty cabins in Rinpu Bagan for prostitution by Meghalaya BJP Vice President Bernard N Marak and his associates.
The SP said that all the children are safe and as per law, they have been handed over to the District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) for necessary action. He said that 27 vehicles, 8 two-wheelers, about 400 bottles of liquor, more than 500 condoms and crossbows and arrows were seized in the raid.
Illegal business happens in 30 rooms
The official said that 73 people have been arrested for their involvement. There are 30 small rooms in that farmhouse. The police officer said that this is the same place where a girl was sexually assaulted and a case was registered in this regard in February. He told that the girl’s family members traced her from Rimpu Bagan. Vivekanand Singh said that it has come to light that the minor was sexually assaulted several times in a week and the case under sections 366A (procurement of a minor girl), 376 (punishment for rape) of the IPC and sections of the POCSO Act was recorded. The victim had told the court that the accused had taken her and her friend to Rinpu Bagan. She said that the accused persons rented a room there and sexually abused her several times.
Police raided on Saturday
The official said that several verbal complaints were also received from residents of Tura town, alleging that unethical activities were going on in Rinpu Bagan, following which the operation was planned. During the raid, the police found many young men and women without clothes and with alcohol. He said that all 68 have been arrested. During the raid, the manager, caretaker and three employees have also been arrested.
Marak denies the allegation
Police said they have asked Marak to cooperate with the investigation and surrender immediately at the Shillong Sadar police station, but he is evading arrest. Marak, an elected member of the Garo Tribal Autonomous District Council, targeted Chief Minister Konrad Sangma in a statement regarding the raid. Marak also denied the allegation of running a ‘brothel’.
Targeting Chief Minister Conrad
Marak claimed that the chief minister was getting frustrated as he knew that he was losing from the BJP’s Dakshin Tura seat. The raid on my farmhouse is an attempt to malign my image and political vendetta. Police said that Marak has not been arrested yet.
