The NGOs in Mizoram demanding setting up of fencing along India-Myanmar borders, claimed on Saturday that in the past 15 days drugs worth over Rs 100 crore were smuggled from Myanmar and have been seized by the authorities in Mizoram.
Mizoram Chakma Alliance Against Discrimination (MCAAD) President Paritosh Chakma in a statement said that during the last 15 days drugs valued over Rs 100 crore smuggled from neighbouring Myanmar have been seized by the authorities in Mizoram and 134 drug peddlers and smugglers have been arrested.
Giving details of the seizure of drugs, Paritosh Chakma said that the drugs include Methamphetamine tablets (also called Yaba tablet or party tablet) and heroin. Yaba tablets contain a mix of methamphetamine and caffeine and are misused as high-dosage drugs in India, Bangladesh and neighbouring countries.
According to the Border Security Force and intelligence officials, Yaba tablets and other drugs are smuggled into the northeastern states from neighbouring Myanmar and then smuggled to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and various Indian states.
The MCAAD statement issued after the statement of influential student body Mizo Zirlai Pawl (Mizo Students Association).
The MZP statement earlier this week said that the Chakma NGOs of Mizoram had asked for sealing of Mizoram's border with Myanmar out of "envy of the good relations between the people of Mizoram and Myanmar". Paritosh Chakma said: "The seized drugs are only a small fraction of all the drugs smuggled from Myanmar through the porous borders."
He said in addition, Mizoram Home Minister Lalchamliana on February 25 informed the state Assembly that a total of 632 arms and 47,510 rounds of live ammunition have been seized by the state police since 2004.
"These arms smuggled into the state are mostly from Myanmar and 32 armed smugglers were arrested of whom 12 were Myanmarese nationals. The seized arms included 134 AK-47 rifles, 8 AK-56 rifles and 26 Light Machine Guns," Chakma said.
MCAAD said that if India's border with Bangladesh can be fenced, the border with Myanmar should also be fenced to prevent unabated smuggling of drugs, arms and influx of foreigners.
"This is only in the shared interest of the people of India and Myanmar. It is the shared responsibility of the governments of India and Myanmar as well as all the communities whether Mizo or Chakma to protect the present as well as future generations," the statement added.
Mizoram has an unfenced international border of 404 kms with Myanmar and 318 kms with Bangladesh. While the BSF guards the Bangladesh border, the border with Myanmar is secured by the Assam Rifles.
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