Shillong: East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem on Tuesday said the ongoing vice raids in Shillong are part of a sustained effort by the district police to tackle different forms of illegal activities in the city and not a temporary drive aimed at pacifying public concerns.
Responding to questions from reporters on the recent raids, Syiem said the police are approaching the issue from a “holistic point of view” as various forms of vice continue to exist in the city.
“It is the endeavour of the district police to clamp down on many vices. These activities are usually more pronounced during weekends,” he said.
According to the SP, the police have been carrying out different types of raids and checking drives every weekend. These include vehicle checks for drunk driving, nuisance in residential areas, loud music, and modified exhaust pipes causing excessive noise pollution.
Apart from traffic and nuisance checks, the police are also conducting raids against sex work, the illegal liquor trade and drug-related activities in identified hotspots.
“If we are not doing one kind of checking, then we are carrying out another. We are checking for illegal liquor, sale and consumption of drugs, and also taking action against sex workers under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act and the Meghalaya Police Act,” Syiem said.
He added that the crackdown is being carried out in coordination with other departments and organisations.
“It is not only the police. We are involving departments like excise and social welfare. In cases involving sex workers, the social welfare department is also assisting us with counselling and rehabilitation efforts,” he said.
Syiem maintained that the drives are part of a long-term strategy and not a one-time operation.
“This is not just a one-off exercise to appease anybody. Our endeavour is to ensure that the streets are safe and that the residents of Shillong have peaceful, secure and safe nights,” he added.
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