Assam Rifles and Mizoram Police in a joint operation seized foreign-origin cigarettes worth Rs 7.8 crore from Cherhlun in the state’s Lawngtlai district, officials here said on Thursday.
Assam Rifles sources said that the troops of the para-military force along with Mizoram Police acting on a secret operation seized foreign cigarettes valued at Rs 7.8 crore from Cherhlun village on Wednesday night.
A smuggler identified as Lalrin Chhana (28) was also arrested in connection with the seizure of the foreign cigarettes contained in 600 cases.
The entire seized consignment and the detainee have been handed over to the police department for further legal proceedings.
In another incident, the Assam Rifles along with the Customs Preventive Force recovered illegally smuggled areca nuts worth approx Rs 30.80 lakh in from Hmunhmeltha in Champhai district, which shares a border with Myanmar.
The areca nuts weighing 4,400 kgs have been smuggled from neighbouring Myanmar.
An Assam Rifles statement said that the ongoing smuggling of contraband items is a major cause of concern for the state of Mizoram and India.
“Assam Rifles, rightly christened as the ‘Sentinels of Northeast’ have continued their efforts against illegal smuggling and has also doubled its efforts to nab the kingpins of the smuggling of contraband items in Mizoram,” it said.
Between November 20 and December 10, various drugs including heroin and methamphetamine tablets valued at around Rs 200 crore were seized in Mizoram, Tripura, and Assam.
All the drugs were seized in the three northeastern states after being smuggled from Myanmar.
Mizoram, southern Assam, and Tripura are an easy corridor for drugs ferrying after being smuggled from Myanmar.
Varied drugs, especially heroin and highly addictive methamphetamine tablets are often smuggled into the northeastern states of India from Myanmar, which shares a 1,643 km-long unfenced border with four northeastern states – Arunachal Pradesh (520 km), Manipur (398 km), Nagaland (215 km) and Mizoram (510 km).
NE not just strategically important but also an epitome of nation's diversity, culture: Minister
Union Minister of State for DoNER Sukanta Majumdar on Friday underscored the strategic importance of the northeastern region and said that the region is not just a geographically significant part of the country but it is also an epitome of the nation's diversity, culture, and strategic importance.
Rajasthan: Death toll in LPG tanker blast rises to 12; CM Sharma orders probe
The death toll in the devastating explosion in an LPG tanker near Jaipur increased to 12 while at least 33 others were wounded, an official said on Friday, adding that most of the injured individuals sustained critical burn injuries.
Solidifying partnership with Gulf countries, PM Modi set to embark on historic Kuwait visit
Committed to fostering longstanding, historic and close relations with all Gulf countries, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a two-day visit to Kuwait starting Saturday - the first by an Indian PM to the key West Asian country in 43 years.
Khalistani separatist Pannun's threat to Indian ambassador 'serious' issue, taken up with US: MEA
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday revealed that New Delhi has taken "seriously" the latest threat issued by the US-based Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun against India's Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra and raised it accordingly with the authorities in Washington.
Om Prakash Chautala: Five-time Haryana CM who cleared Class 10, 12 exams at age of 87
Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) president and five-time Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala, whose family ruled the state’s dusty and defection-ridden politics for decades largely in rural areas with predominant Jat voters, died in Gurugram after a cardiac arrest on Friday.
Tripura observes Vijay Diwas; Guv Indrasena Reddy pays homage to fallen soldiers of 1971 war
As the state of Tripura along with the rest of the nation on Monday observed Vijay Diwas to honor the Indian Armed Forces and their victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war, Governor Indrasena Reddy Nally paid homage to the fallen soldiers here in an event at Agartala Elbert Ekka Park.
CM invites investors in Mumbai to tap into Tripura's growth potential
Tripura Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha on Monday invited investors to consider setting up projects in Tripura and assured that the state government would provide all necessary support.
Vijay Diwas: Assam Rifles organises Half Marathon in Tripura
A defence spokesman said that over 600 participants from various walks of life came together to celebrate this momentous day, dedicated to honouring the valour and sacrifices of the Indian Armed Forces during the 1971 Indo-Pak war.