Jalpaiguri, Aug. 31 -- Nine people, including three women, five youths from Assam and a resort employee, were arrested after police raided a resort in Lataguri on Sunday night over an alleged prostitution racket.
According to police sources, the raid was conducted following a tip-off about suspected illegal activities at the resort. Police also found that a drinking session was allegedly underway at the premises. Several people were detained during the operation and, after preliminary questioning and investigation, nine were arrested.
The role of the resort has now come under the police scanner. Investigators are examining how the alleged activities were being carried out and whether more people were involved. The arrested persons were produced before the Jalpaiguri court on Monday.
Malbazar Police Station IC Polzar Bhutia said: "Illegal activities at resorts in Lataguri will not be tolerated under any circumstances. We have arrested several people. We are also investigating whether similar illegal activities are taking place at any other resorts."
Police said the three women arrested are residents of Siliguri. One is originally from Haryana and another from Uttar Dinajpur. Both had reportedly been living in Siliguri for several years.
The five youths arrested are residents of Assam, police said. Investigators suspect that the alleged racket was being operated with the involvement of a youth from Lataguri. He allegedly fled after learning about the police raid, and a search has been launched to trace him.
The incident has sparked concern in Lataguri, a popular tourist destination in the Dooars. Tourism stakeholders fear that allegations of such activities could damage the area's reputation.
Biplab De, joint secretary of the Dooars Tourism Development Welfare Society, said: "Those found guilty of wrongdoing should face punishment as per the law. Such activities not only tarnish the reputation of the hotel or resort but also bring a bad name to the entire area. We do not want anything like this to happen here."
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.