Guwahati: A woman from Meghalaya, reportedly lured to New Delhi with a job offer but coerced into the flesh trade, was rescued on Wednesday morning by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) Delhi Unit with support from the Delhi Police.
According to the KSU Delhi Unit, the operation began after a woman in Shillong called around 2:30 am seeking urgent help for her sister.
The caller alleged that her sister had been assaulted by a group of men at a residence in Delhi where she was staying.
Marbiang Khongwir, president of KSU Delhi Unit, said that following the alert, the team immediately coordinated with the North East Delhi Police, who informed Malviya Nagar Police Station. A combined team of KSU volunteers and police officers then set out to locate the woman.
“After approximately one hour and forty minutes, we located the premises. Upon entering, several men were present inside,” Khongwir said.
The rescued woman appeared to have been physically harmed and was quickly taken to the police station to ensure her safety. One of the accused initially tried to misrepresent the situation, claiming it involved a financial dispute over unpaid money.
“After three to four hours of investigation, it became clear that the woman had come to Delhi seeking employment but was trapped and forced into illicit work,” Khongwir explained.
The investigation revealed that one of the men was allegedly operating a brothel and pressured the woman into sex work. When she resisted, she was reportedly beaten and threatened with death. “From what we observed, there was an intention to seriously injure or possibly kill her,” Khongwir said.
The accused individuals are now in police custody. The woman has undergone a medical examination and is under protective care.
The KSU Delhi Unit highlighted that traffickers are increasingly luring young women from the Northeast to large cities with false job promises. “We urge authorities to take strong action against organized networks that exploit vulnerable job seekers,” Khongwir said.
The union also issued guidance for people, especially young jobseekers from the region, planning to travel outside their home states for work. “Verify job offers thoroughly. Promises of salaries like Rs 30,000–40,000 may be misleading. Check the legitimacy of the employer, the nature of the work, and accommodation arrangements before traveling,” the advisory stated.
The KSU Delhi Unit stated that it continues to assist Northeast residents facing challenges while working or studying in Delhi, and that anyone in need can approach the organization for help and support.