The influence of the Golden Triangle on Govt - and in Manipur context

Birendra Laishram *

Photo Courtesy - TSE

The notorious Golden Triangle and its location are known to everybody. My story of the same is a reminder of its influences which can win the hearts of any political heads of the world. This story is not the three important rights given by the Constitution of India - Article 14: Equality Before Law; Article 19: Right to Freedom and Article 21: Right to Life and Personal Liberty.

My story is about the region of the Golden Triangle covering an area of about 2 lakh square kilometres where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos sharing approximately of equal land areas meet at the junction of the Mekong and Ruak Rivers surrounded by thick jungle. This Golden Triangle enjoying the same privileges provided in the three Articles–14, 19 and 21 though it is not envisaged legally.

The Golden Triangle remains a hotspot for narco- tics which are trafficked to various parts of the world, including India especially through thick jungles of Manipur and Mizoram bordering Myanmar. The weaponries used by the militants are prominently from sales of narcotic substances in various forms.

The Golden Triangle region, located in the remote mountains of northern Shan State, Myanmar, is heavily monitored and controlled by numerous militias and criminal gangs. These groups are essential for maintaining drug production sites, ensuring their operations remain profitable while also supporting a broader drug trade network.

Thousands of individuals are involved in drug production, from cultivating and refining opium into heroin to manufacturing synthetic drugs, as well as smuggling and distributing these illicit substances. This extensive participation underscores the prevalence of drug-related activities in Myanmar.

The militias guarding drug facilities possess various resources to sustain their operations. They are typically well-armed and defend their territories against rivals and law enforcement, benefiting from the natural protection of the rugged jungle. Advanced communication tools, including satellite phones and encrypted radios, along with night vision equipment and motion sensors, enable them to respond quickly to threats.

Revenue from drug trafficking not only finances their protection efforts but also pays militia members and bribes officials to avoid interference. They have established logistics networks, such as hidden airstrips and smuggling routes, for transporting materials and products. Local communities may be coerced or in- centivized to support these groups by providing intelligence and labor.

This network of resources allows militias to maintain control over drug production in the Golden Triangle, which became a significant opium- producing area in the mid-20th century after produc- tion shifted there following China’s strict anti-opium measures.

These groups have a long-standing connection to the land and its resources, intertwining their agricultural activities with the international drug trade. In 2021, a Thai operation confiscated over 50 crore yaba (methamphetamine pills), 30 tonnes of ice, 6,000 kg of heroin, 3 tonnes of ketamine, and 257 tonnes of chemicals used in illegal drug production.

Ethnic clashes occurring between the Meitei, who are the inhabitants of the valley, and the Kuki Narco-Terrorists, who are infiltrating into Manipur from across the border in Myanmar, have presented a substantial opportunity for drug traffickers and those involved in poppy cultivation.

The ongoing conflict allows the Kuki to effectively block the entry of State forces into the hill areas, where there are numerous clandestine laboratories dedicated to the production of synthetic drugs and opium from poppy cultivation for production of heroin making the hill region another Golden Triangle.

Therefore, it can be said that these ethnic clashes serve as a significant boon for the Kuki community. Moreover, there are concerns that these conflicts are being intentionally incited to transform the State’s hill region into a new version of the infamous Golden Triangle, a notorious area known for drug production and trafficking.

Drug cartels and militias contribute to political instability, forcing Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos to confront issues of violence, corruption, and weakened State authority. The drug trade generates substantial revenue, influencing local economies and sometimes leading Governments to overlook drug activities for economic reasons.

It also affects international relations, prompting regional collaboration to combat drug trafficking, resulting in various agreements. Armed groups present security challenges, straining military and law enforcement resources.

They frequently employ bribery to sway politicians and law enforcement to ignore their activities, a practice prevalent in drug-trafficking regions like Latin America. By corrupting officials, cartels can operate with little interference, undermining the rule of law and democratic processes, which perpetuates violence and instability.

If the Government of India continues to remain passive and silent in the face of this escalating situation, the sparks of unrest that have ignited in Manipur are likely to spread throughout the entire country. This potential wide-reaching impact is a matter of great concern among the people of Manipur.

There is a widespread belief and growing apprehension that several high-ranking politicians, both at the National level and within the State, might be complicit in the drug trade. If this is indeed the case, then these individuals are essentially enabling a cycle of addiction and devastation, as they are the very persons providing drugs to their own children and communities, all in the pursuit of monetary gain. This alarming reality underscores the need for urgent action and accountability to prevent fur- ther deterioration of the situation.

US President Donald Trump has expressed his belief that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take the appropriate actions regarding the issue of illegal immigrants. In a recent press briefing held in New Delhi, Randhir Jaiswal, who serves as the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, articulated the Indian Govt’s stance, stating, “We are firmly against the phenomenon of illegal immigration, particularly be- cause it is often associated with various forms of organized crime and criminal activities.”

This highlights the critical concern about the on-going infiltrations from Myanmar in Manipur, especially during the current crisis. It is imperative to examine closely whether these individuals are crossing into the State with the intent to aid and support the Kuki militants. Ensuring thorough scrutiny of these movements is essential for main- taining peace and security in the region.

Recently, Director-General of Police Shankar Jiwal met with State police and Central drug enforcement agencies to strategize on enhancing the fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse. Countries like the United States and Mexico have collaborated through joint operations and intelligence sharing to dismantle criminal networks and hold corrupt officials accountable.

Nations have established strong legal frameworks, such as India’s Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act of 1985, which criminalizes drug trafficking and supports prosecuting offenders. Despite the existence of these strong legal frameworks, we need to evaluate whether the Govt can prevent the Kuki’s efforts to establish a new Golden Triangle in India by damaging the flora and fauna of Manipur’s hills.