SHILLONG: Meghalaya Police have busted a human trafficking network that lured young women into fake marriages and later sold them in other states. Three individuals, including the alleged mastermind, have been arrested.
Ri Bhoi Superintendent of Police, V. Rathore, said the case began in June 2025 when a girl went missing from Byrnihat. Investigation revealed she had been trafficked to Rajasthan, sold, and forcibly married for ₹3 lakh. The victim was later rescued with help from Rajasthan Police.
The arrested accused — Rajesh Hinge, Md. Khalil Ali, and Monika — reportedly used social media platforms to identify and befriend their targets. After gaining their trust through chats and calls, they persuaded them to travel outside the state on false promises of marriage or employment before selling them.
Police believe the group trafficked at least five girls from Assam and one from Tripura in the past two years.
SP Rathore cautioned that the same method is increasingly used in cyber and UPI frauds. “Children and youth must be cautious while interacting online. They should not install unknown apps or click suspicious links, as these can compromise their devices,” he said.
Police have urged parents and young people to remain vigilant and immediately report any suspicious offers or social media interactions that seem too good to be true.
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