Mizoram's crackdown on narcotics has been intensified and a key border operation extended, as drug traffickers are changing their smuggling routes in response to heightened security, the state's Home Minister revealed. The traffickers are now attempting to use neighboring Manipur as an alternative conduit.
Operation Jericho Extended Amid Shifting Routes
Home Minister K Sapdanga stated that Operation Jericho, which was set to conclude on December 31, has now been extended until March 31. The operation, a concerted drive involving law enforcement and civil society groups, was initially launched on September 1 along the sensitive Mizoram-Myanmar border.
Sapdanga told sources that the operation's impact is evident from a significant market shift. "The prices of drugs have skyrocketed, signifying a shortage of availability in the state," he said. This price surge is a direct result of the aggressive efforts to curb the flow of illicit substances.
Traffickers Pivot to Manipur, Security Tightened
Faced with increased pressure on the Mizoram-Myanmar frontier, traffickers have altered their strategies. "We have received inputs that as the traffickers found it hard to smuggle the drugs across the Mizoram-Myanmar border, they are now trying to traffic the drugs via Manipur," the Home Minister explained.
In response, security has been significantly reinforced at key entry points between Mizoram and Manipur, particularly at the two bridges over the Tuivai river. Authorities are also maintaining a close watch on lesser-known and informal crossing points. Sapdanga confirmed that additional police forces have been deployed to areas bordering Manipur.
Vigilance in Southern Border Districts
The minister also highlighted concerns about traffickers targeting southern Mizoram. There are reports of drug peddlers eyeing Lawngtlai and Siaha districts as potential alternative routes along the Myanmar border.
To counter this, the deputy commissioners of these two districts have been instructed to coordinate closely with local civil society organizations. These include the Central Young Lai Association in Lawngtlai and the Mara Thyutlia Py (Mara youth association) in Siaha. The aim is to create a community-led vigilance network to prevent traffickers from exploiting these border areas.
Rehabilitation Efforts Under Operation Jericho
Operation Jericho is not solely focused on interdiction but also includes rehabilitation. In a significant humanitarian move on Christmas Eve, around 100 drug addicts who had been living on the streets of Aizawl were taken into care.
These individuals, who had been sleeping on footpaths and were reluctant to return home, were provided with food and subsequently admitted to the Tawngtai Bethel Camping Centre, a dedicated rehabilitation facility. This action underscores the operation's dual approach of supply reduction and demand reduction.
The extension of Operation Jericho and the shifting tactics of traffickers underscore the ongoing and evolving challenge of drug smuggling in India's northeastern region. Mizoram's government remains committed to intensifying its efforts, adapting its strategies as criminal networks change theirs.
