Narco-terrorism and India's Internal Security

Yenning *

Rally against Chin-Kuki Narco-Terrorism at Imphal on 29th July 2023 :: Pix - Khaba Kh

Ever since the Chin-Kuki militants and miscreants attack upon the Meetei/Meitei civilians by burning houses followed by loot and arson around 3 pm at Torbung Bangla of Bishnupur District in Manipur on the 3rd of May, 2023, Manipur has been under turmoil with violence spiralling across the State. Peace remains a distant dream even today.

It has been established that Chin-Kuki militants under Suspension of Operation (SoO), their political elites and drug cartels are allegedly directly involved in the pre-planned violence which erupted on 3rd May, 2023.

Right from day one of the present conflict, Chin-Kuki militants and their supporters were using terror tactics which include attacking and killing at will Meetei/ Meitei civilians, blasting of IED bomb inside the populated area, use of locally made cannon, brutal killing of innocent Meetei/Meitei villagers, while they were sleeping in their home etc.

Chin-Kuki militants have effectively used the advantages provided by SoO. It has been reported that the area under poppy cultivation has increased manifold after Chin-Kuki militants entered into tripartite SoO agreement.

Since many of the heads of Chin-Kuki militants are of Myanmar origin and they operate both in Manipur and Myanmar, they consider Chin and Zo communities inhabiting in Chin State and Sagaing region of Myanmar as their blood brothers thereby encouraging them to settle in Manipur, which partially explains the emergence of many new villages in the Chin-Kuki dominated area.

It may be argued that SoO agreement has worked in favour of these militant groups at various fronts at the cost of the larger security interest and well-being of Manipur. It has strengthened and emboldened the Chin- Kuki militants manifolds.

Coming to the present violence in Manipur looking at the way how the series of violence has erupted, it can be observed that violence in Manipur is directly or indirectly related with narco-terrorism. Narco-terrorism has become a threat to human security all over the world. It is a form of terrorism which directly attacks the very basis of a State that is the population, especially the youths, who are the future pillar of a Nation.

In this form of terrorism, drug cartels and their agencies earn huge money from drugs making the population addicted to drugs such as heroin, cocaine and other narcotic substances. Money generated from drugs are in turn invested in politics and drug militia to sustain their business and protect their interests.

In many countries across the world such as Colombia, Mexico, Kenya, Afghanistan, in the Golden Triangle countries etc. where this form of terrorism exists, some modus operandi can be seen.

Either the drug cartels establish their own standing army/militia or militants become the cartel itself. And there is a strong nexus between drug cartels and politicians. This nexus works in the interest of both. Narco-money is used to fund politicians and militant groups to advance the interests of drug cartels.

The present crisis in Manipur has revealed one of the biggest non-traditional threats to India’s internal security in the form of narco-terrorism. The Government of Manipur’s “War on Drugs”, has exposed the existence of a powerful drug cartel and their influence in the social and political aspects of Manipur. This cartel thrives on lucrative drug (particularly narcotics) business.

This drug money is used to penetrate various socio-political strata of Manipur. One cannot deny the fact that present ethnic tension in Manipur manifests the presence of a strong nexus between drug cartel, politicians and Chin-Kuki militants. It may be mentioned that the Government’s “War on Drugs” has given a serious blow to the lucrative drug business of drug cartel.The arrest of culprits and seizure of drugs so far may be just the tip of the iceberg.

Narco-Terrorism : A Threat to National and International Security.

This war on drug is not only meant for Manipur but also to save India from a very subtle, yet highly powerful non-traditional threat to security and well-being of India that is narco-terrorism. According to data of Union Home Ministry, drug smuggling from Myanmar rises manifold after military seizes power in 2021.

Report suggests that total seizure of drugs in 2021was nearly 3 tonnes, but it went up to over 10 tonnes in a year (Reported in Sangai Express, 30th July, 2023). This shows the higher chance of nexus between drug cartels in Myanmar and Manipur. Cross border drug trafficking can only thrive and operate with the help of a complex web of relationship and nexus.

The scourge of narco-terrorism knows no religions, ethnicities, Nations and boundaries. This form of terrorism, if not prevented and rooted out in time, has the potential to wipe out entire generation of a Nation; and it can even crumble a great Nation from within.

Terrorist activities are not limited to only causing physical or psychological damage to a State or even tarnishing its image. The effects of narco-terrorism go much deeper for it destroys the very basis and vital element of the State – the population, especially the younger generations, by creating addiction among its population to drugs, heroin, cocaine, and the like.

Narco-terrorism can be used systematically as a powerful weapon to dominate and subjugate a State and society. When drug cartel and their money enter the political space, it is the beginning of the end of a society.

There is consensus among the experts that illegal drug trafficking carried out through the nexus between terrorist outfits, local, National and international drug lords and mafia is a threat to National as well as international peace and security. In the contemporary globalised era of free flow of people, commodities, trade and commercial activities, the effects of narco-terrorism and narco-trade cannot be localised.

If effective mechanisms are not implemented by the Union and State Governments to prevent Manipur from becoming poppy garden, there is high possibility of India becoming a victim of narco- terrorism in near future. In this context statement given by Union Home Minister of India, Amit Shah is highly relevant.

Addressing a regional conference on drug smuggling and National security held virtually, the Union Home Minister said the Golden Triangle and Golden Crescent may be “golden” for the smugglers, but the NCB has renamed it as the “death triangle and death crescent”.

The approach is not symbolic, but it is actually a death trap for the consumers. (Reported in Sangai Express, 19th July, 2023). This kind of strong political will and commitment is crucial to eradicate the cross border narco-terrorism as well as narco- terrorism in Manipur through effective use of technology and necessary forces.

Rally against Chin-Kuki Narco-Terrorism at Imphal on 29th July 2023 :: Pix - Khaba Kh

Manipur: A Victim of Narco-Terrorism

Manipur has been a victim of cross border narco-terrorism since the early 90s of the 20th century. Manipur shares long porous international boundary with Myanmar which is a part of the infamous Golden Triangle. As a result, Manipur has been a victim of narco-trade.

Writing on the book Burma : Prospect for a Democratic Future, Bertil Lintner, a well-known journalist and authority in Burma (Myanmar) and Southeast Asia, writes “For decades Burma has been a major producer of both opium and its deadly derivative heroin. Prior to 1990, western side of Myanmar, close to Indian border, was relatively free from the scourge of drug traffickers. But the situation changed drastically after 1990.

For the first time in early 1992, six new heroin refineries were identified along the Chindwin river, close to the Indian border, such as north of Singkaling near Tamanthi, Homalin, Moreh, Kalemyo, Tiddim and Paletwa on the western edge of Chin and Arakan States. Not surprisingly drug addiction became a new reality in Manipur in the 1990s resulting in a great humanitarian and social crisis.

The porous international boundary between Myanmar and India facilitated easy movement of drug traffickers. Thus, from the late 80s and early 90s of the 20th century, Manipur has been used as both the transit route and market for narcotic trade originated from Myanmar.

But the situation has changed in recent times, which calls for serious intervention from the Governments, both the Union and the State level. In addition to being a market for narco trade, Manipur has become a producer of heroin (No 4) and brown sugar. This is evident from the fact that poppy plant, raw material for such deadly drugs, is widely cultivated in the hill areas of Manipur, particularly in the Chin-Kuki dominated areas.

State Government official report indicates that from 2017 till April, 2023, altogether 15496.8 acres under poppy cultivation were destroyed. Out of this, maximum area of 13121.8 acres is found in the Kuki-Chin dominated districts. The present data shows the area under poppy cultivation, which had been destroyed by the authority concerned.

In the absence of effective surveillance mechanism coupled with vast inaccessible remote areas, there is high possibility that the area under poppy plantation may be much more than what the official report suggests. Interestingly, in the aftermath of 3rd May, 3544 Kgs of poppy seeds were confiscated by NAB, Manipur from a house belonging to a Kuki at Mantripurkhri, Imphal East.

The arrest of many individuals in drug/narcotic related cases, destruction of poppy plantation, the data on poppy cultivation and confiscation of poppy seeds strongly indicate the existence of drug syndicate in Manipur. There is strong indication that Manipur has already become a part of Golden Triangle. The lucrative narco trade business is not possible without a strong nexus and networking.

Since the 3rd of May, Government is unable to carry out its campaign against poppy cultivation due to the prevailing conflict situation in Manipur. The current situation definitely favours the drug mafia or cartel for they can cultivate and harvest poppy without fear of the law enforcing agencies.