Guwahati City Police conducted coordinated raids at five spa and salon establishments across the city on January 20, leading to the arrest of 10 individuals and the rescue of 13 women. The operation was carried out following weeks of intelligence gathering against illegal activities allegedly operating under the guise of wellness services.
Police officials said rehabilitation measures for the rescued women have already been initiated, while investigations are ongoing to identify wider networks involved.
Guwahati City Police raided five spa and salon centres across the city on January 20, arresting 10 people and rescuing 13 women. The coordinated operation, led by the Central Guwahati Police District, followed intelligence inputs and involved multiple police stations across key areas of the city.
What the Police Said
Addressing the media, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Sambhavi Mishra said that 13 women were rescued during the operation and that the rehabilitation process has already begun.
She said counselling and skill development support would be provided to help the rescued women reintegrate and rebuild their lives. Police confirmed that 10 accused have been arrested so far in connection with the raids.
How the Operation Was Conducted
The action was carried out by the Central Guwahati Police District after sustained surveillance and intelligence collection. Multiple teams conducted simultaneous searches at identified locations across the city to prevent suspects from escaping or destroying evidence.
Police teams from the following police stations were involved:
- Panbazar
- Paltan Bazar
- Geetanagar
- Chandmari
During the raids, officials also seized items allegedly linked to unlawful activities, police said.
Details of Arrests and Rescues
At Bhargav Hair Beauty Spa and Unisex Salon, under Panbazar Police Station, two individuals were arrested:
- Manoj Kumar Dakua, the manager, is a resident of Odisha
- Shanti Das, the owner, from Kakopathar in Tinsukia district
Three women were rescued from the premises during the operation.
Separately, Geetanagar Police Station registered a case against Mou Spa Centre and Beauty Salon near AIDC. Five individuals were taken into custody in this case, including:
- Ashim Sharma, the manager from Mangaldai in Darrang district
- Four customers from different parts of Guwahati and Upper Assam
Police said cases have been registered under relevant sections of law, and further scrutiny of financial and operational records is underway.
Why This Matters for Guwahati
Guwahati has seen a rise in complaints and intelligence inputs related to illegal activities operating under commercial fronts. Senior officials said the crackdown is part of a sustained city-wide effort to curb such practices and ensure public safety.
Authorities also emphasized the importance of community vigilance and urged citizens to report suspicious activities operating under the cover of legitimate businesses.
What Happens Next
- Further questioning of the arrested accused will continue
- Police will examine links to other establishments or networks
- Legal proceedings and rehabilitation support for rescued women will progress
Officials said more raids may follow based on ongoing intelligence inputs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people were arrested in the Guwahati spa raids?
A total of 10 individuals were arrested during raids conducted at five spa and salon centres across Guwahati.
How many women were rescued during the operation?
Police rescued 13 women, and rehabilitation measures, including counselling and skill development, have already begun.