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Aizawl, October 20 (IANS) Assam Rifles has seized 90 bags of poppy seeds and 120 bags of betel nuts worth Rs 1 crore in Mizoram. Officials gave this information on Monday.
A defense spokesperson said that based on specific intelligence, Assam Rifles conducted search operations in Ruantlong, Farlui road areas in Champhai district bordering Mizoram and recovered contraband.
An official statement said this significant recovery underlines the zero-tolerance approach of Assam Rifles towards illegal activities in the area and its continued commitment to maintain law and order situation.
The seized consignment has been handed over to Customs Preventive Force, Champhai for further investigation and prosecution under relevant laws.
The statement said this operation highlights the continued dedication of Assam Rifles to secure the borders of the North-Eastern region and curb illicit trade that adversely impacts the socio-economic stability of the region.
An official said the poppy seeds and betel nuts were smuggled from Myanmar and were intended to be taken to other states in India.
Security forces in Manipur and Assam often destroy illegal poppy cultivation in these states as part of the government’s ‘war on drugs’ mission.
Poppy cultivation has been identified as a major source of illicit opium production. It is estimated that three to four kilograms of opium is produced per acre of poppy cultivation, the price of one kilogram of which is between Rs 4 lakh to Rs 5 lakh in the secret market.
On the other hand, smuggling of betel nut, also known as Burmese betel nut, from Myanmar has had a negative impact on local farmers in the northeastern states, as they struggle to sell their produce at competitive prices.
Betel nut farmers in Tripura and Assam have in recent times agitated against smuggling of betel nut from Myanmar.
The Manipur government has said on several occasions that the ethnic conflict in Manipur since May 2023 is the creation of illegal immigrants from Myanmar, adding that these immigrants have started cultivating poppies illegally after settling illegally in the state. Myanmar, which shares a 1,643-km-long unfenced border with four northeastern states – Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram – serves as a major transit point for drugs, especially heroin and methamphetamine pills, entering India. Mizoram districts bordering Myanmar are Champhai, Siaha, Longtalai, Hanathiyal, Saitual and Serchhip. These six districts share a combined 510-km border with Myanmar’s Chin State, which is a hub for smuggling of various drugs, exotic wildlife animals and many other contraband items through the northeastern states.
–IANS
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