After the military coup in Myanmar in February 2021 and the ethnic turmoil in Manipur since May 2023, illegal drug-related activities and smuggling into the country's northeastern region increased, officials said on Friday, stressing the need to step up vigilance and action to curb the drug menace.
Meghalaya Social Welfare Minister, Paul Lyngdoh, said that the ethnic unrest in neighbouring Manipur caused the growing drug trafficking in the mountainous state.
"This is an unfortunate part because of our region's strategic location and very proximity to the 'Golden Triangle' drug menaces are active in the region," he told the media.
The Minister, who also holds the Arts, Culture and Tourism Departments, said that due to the unrest in Manipur, illicit drugs trade has shifted from that particular area to Meghalaya, and it has become a major challenge for the government.
Saying that the state’s police and law-enforcing agencies have been kept on alert, he announced that the Anti Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) would be further strengthened and the ANTF would be headed by a senior retired IPS officer.
The Minister said that he would soon visit Delhi to apprise the concerned central ministry about the seriousness and growing drug threat in Meghalaya.
Lyngdoh said that earlier only the police department was dealing with drug-related activities and now various departments and wings are very proactive to curb the drug-related challenges.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma personally looked after the matter and it shows the level of seriousness of the government, he said.
"We are in the process of constituting the Village Defence Party (VDP). The DREAM (Drug Reduction, Elimination & Action Mission) would be further strengthened," the Social Welfare Minister said.
Meanwhile, in Aizawl, senior police officers and other security officials submitted that smuggling of drugs, mostly heroin and methamphetamine tablets, also known as party tablets or Yaba, into India from Myanmar, has risen to a great extent after the military coup in the neighbouring country in February 2021.
The Assam Rifles, which has been guarding the unfenced 510 km of border with Myanmar, have seized different types of drugs valued at around Rs 67 crore and arrested eight drug peddlers, including three Myanmarese, during the last one week.
Officials said that during the six separate operations during the past one week, the paramilitary troopers seized 350 grams of heroin, 22.309 kg of methamphetamine tablets, 7.6 kg of ganja (Marijuana) and 90 lakhs of illegal Indian currencies.
Mizoram Police and Customs officials also often accompanied the Assam Rifles personnel in the operations against the illegal drugs peddling.
Mizoram, southern Assam and Tripura have become corridors of drug smuggling as the three northeastern states share borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh.
Officials said that all the drugs smuggled from Myanmar and through Mizoram are ferried to southern Assam and Tripura to further smuggle these to Bangladesh or other parts of India.
Rs 24000 Cr spend for expansion and development of National Highways in Tripura: MP Biplab Kumar Deb
MP for West Tripura Lok Sabha constituency Biplab Kumar Deb on Wednesday chaired MP’s Road Safety Committee Meeting here at Agartala and reviewed ongoing initiatives and discussed actionable steps to enhance road safety across the region.
BSF seizes drugs valued at Rs 4.41 crore in Tripura
Seizure of varied drugs, arms, ammunition, explosives and exotic animals in different northeastern states by the security forces continues unabated with highly addictive methamphetamine tablets valued at more than Rs 4.41 crore confiscated in Tripura on Wednesday, officials said.
CM Dr Manik Saha seeks financial assistance from Centre to make Tripura self-sufficiency in production of milk, egg, fish and meat
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Wednesday attended a high level task force meeting of the Ministry of Development of North East Region (DoNER) chaired by the Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia from Delhi.
CM Dr Manik Saha directs police to take prompt legal action against drug traffickers
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Wednesday chaired a meeting through video conferencing with the District Magistrates and Superintendent of Police of all the eight districts of the state and directed to listen to the people’s grievances and fix them accordingly for the overall development of the state.
Special traffic drive in GB Bazar to control congestion
In a bid to ease traffic congestion and maintain order on the roads, the traffic police conducted a special drive in the GB Bazar area of the capital this morning. The operation focused on removing several motorbikes that were improperly parked, violating traffic regulations.
Showers bring respite from heat in Tripura, Yellow alert issued
After days of oppressive heat, a sudden spell of rain swept across Tripura on Wednesday afternoon, offering much-needed relief to residents. The rainfall comes as the Meteorological Department issues a yellow alert for the next three days.
Tripura CM asks officials to visit rural areas each month and resolve problems swiftly
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Wednesday instructed the District Magistrates (DMs) and Superintendents of Police (SPs) of each district to visit the rural areas of their respective jurisdictions every month and take prompt action in case of any deficiencies, and resolve the problems that arise.
National Herald case: Congress protests outside ED offices in northeastern states
Congress leaders claimed that through false allegations, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) under the direction of the Central government filed a chargesheet against the party's Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi, among others.