Drug smuggling from Myanmar rises after military seizes power

There has been a substantial rise in seizure of drugs, including yaba tablets, in Manipur since the military junta recaptured power in neighbouring Myanmar in 2021. The total seizure of drugs in 2021 was nearly 3 tonnes, but it went up to over 10 tonnes in a year, according to Union home ministry data. The democratically elected National League for Democracy was deposed by Myanmar's military in February 2021.

India shares a 1,643 km border with Myanmar. The vulnerable areas from where smuggling and infiltration take place is limited to 500 km spread across Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Mizoram. "MHA has identified 100 km of smuggling prone areas in Arunachal, Manipur and Mizoram for fencing, out of which the first 50 km will be in Manipur, 30 km in Mizoram and 20 km in Arunachal. A pilot project of a 10 km is on the verge of completion," an official said.

Manipur and Mizoram governments have been asked to collect biometric data of refugees and infiltrators. The data will be stored in a negative list which would prevent them from securing Aadhaar, voting cards and other documents meant for citizens, home ministry officials said. According to official estimates, 36,000 people have been identified by state governments but their numbers could be higher. Several new tribal villages have been set up by communities in both states to settle migrants, officials said.


"The movement of communities on both sides of the border is very smooth and at times misused by smugglers and narco traders. They can stay up to 72 hours with effective and valid permits issued by the designated authorities on either side," an official said. "This regime has been in place, keeping in view traditional social relations among border people. It helps genuine people living in close proximity to the border. However, it is misused by militants and criminals who smuggle weapons, narcotics, contraband goods and fake Indian currency notes," he said.