Former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has sounded the alarm over what he described as a fast-expanding drug trafficking network in the Northeast, warning that it poses a significant threat to the nation’s youth and internal security.
Singh’s statement follows a high-profile seizure of narcotics in Mizoram’s Zokhawthar area on July 17, where a joint operation by the Assam Rifles and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) resulted in the confiscation of 642 grams of heroin and 10 kilograms of methamphetamine tablets. The seized drugs, valued at ₹36.79 crore, are believed to have originated from across the border in Myanmar.
Commending the agencies involved, Singh posted on social media, “I sincerely appreciate the Assam Rifles and the NCB for their coordinated operation in Mizoram. Such decisive action deserves recognition and continued support.”
Drug Corridor Expanding Across Manipur, Mizoram
Singh expressed grave concern over the increasing use of the Northeastern corridor—particularly through Manipur and Mizoram—as a transit route for narcotics. He warned that these networks were becoming increasingly sophisticated and could fuel narco-terrorism, threatening the socio-political stability of the region and the well-being of its youth.
“This massive drug smuggling network operating through the Northeast is a grave threat to the future of our country,” Singh stated. “During my tenure as Chief Minister, I had launched an all-out crackdown on drug trafficking and poppy cultivation in Manipur. That fight must continue with greater urgency.”
He urged law enforcement agencies and government authorities to ramp up anti-drug operations, particularly targeting illegal poppy plantations, which he called the “backbone” of the narcotics trade in the region. “Only a united, relentless campaign can protect our region and our youth from the devastating grip of narco-terrorism,” he added.
14-Year Jail Term for Heroin Smuggler in Mizoram
In a related legal development, a special fast-track court in Mizoram’s Kolasib district sentenced a 45-year-old man from Manipur to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment for heroin trafficking. The convict, Seikholen Khongsai, a resident of Saikot in Churachandpur district, was also fined ₹1 lakh. Failure to pay the fine would result in an additional six months in prison.
Khongsai was arrested on August 21, 2023, along with three others, after police intercepted an unregistered vehicle at Thingdawl village near Kolasib. The vehicle was found to be carrying 1.74 kilograms of heroin—an amount classified as a commercial quantity under Section 21(C) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
Initially, authorities recovered 1.64 kilograms of heroin, with an additional 100 grams found during further investigation. According to police, the drugs were smuggled in from Myanmar and were intended for distribution in Kolasib town.
Forensic evidence played a critical role in the case, and a comprehensive charge sheet was submitted to the court. While Judge R Vanlalena acquitted the three co-accused due to lack of conclusive evidence, he emphasized the seriousness of the charges against Khongsai, warranting a stringent sentence to deter others involved in the narcotics trade.
Cross-Border Smuggling Remains a Challenge
Security agencies continue to grapple with the growing challenge of cross-border drug trafficking, particularly along the porous India-Myanmar border. The rise in drug-related arrests and seizures across Manipur and Mizoram reflects an entrenched network that exploits border vulnerabilities, local couriers, and illicit cultivation zones.
With increasing seizures and crackdowns, authorities stress the need for enhanced surveillance, cross-border cooperation, and rehabilitation efforts for vulnerable communities caught in the narcotics chain.
