Illegal trade route shifts to Kamjong amid crisis
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 13 2023: In the aftermath of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the state that erupted from Churachandpur district on May 3, the illegal trade route for cross border narcotics and contraband items has been shifted to Kamjong district considering the unrest in Moreh town and Churachandpur district.

Out of the 1643 km long Indo-Myanmar border, Manipur shares common border of 398 km with the neighbouring country.

According to a highly placed source, the Imphal-Moreh highway and Imphal-Churachandpur highway were the two main routes for illegal trade before the crisis.

However, the two highways have been shut down due to the ongoing violence and as such, movement of narcotics and contraband items along the two highways has become impossible with both security and local Meira Paibis keeping vigil along the two highways.

Although Kamjong district shares common border with Myanmar, this route was not the choice for traffickers due to various reasons including bad road infrastructure.

However, traffickers are finding an alternative in the district due to the present crisis.

The report is corroborated by the seizure of 92 boxes of banned pharmaceutical products in two Shaktiman trucks by Assam Rifles on July 23 in the district.

The seized products along with the arrested individuals and trucks were handed over to Kamjong PS.

On August 4, a team of 24 Assam Rifles apprehended three people while transporting 460 grams of brown sugar in a truck.

In December last year, Shangshak battalion of Assam Rifles also apprehended three people along with illegal timber worth Rs 2.56 crore.

There was also another incident of Assam Rifles intercepting 30 trucks loaded with illegal timbers last year and 17 traffickers were apprehended from Punamaram village in Kamjong district.

Moreover, there were intelligence reports of three truckloads of arms and ammunition smuggled from Myanmar through Kamjong district, which was meant for Kuki militant groups.

The report was published in multiple national media.

With the two main routes being blocked due to the present crisis, illegal traffickers have shifted the route for trafficking illegal arms, immigrants, narcotics and contraband items as well as human trafficking along the highway passing through Kamjong district.

Kamjong, Kasom and Phungyar sub-divisions have become a hotbed for illegal traffickers as one can easily traverse through Kangpat Khunnou from these locations to reach their destinations, the source added.

A senior police officer of Kamjong district told The People's Chronicle that illegal trafficking activities via Kamjong district is not a new thing.

Such activities are there even before Kamjong became a district.

In the past, there was low activity possibly due to tight security measures taken up along the border.

However, with no other routes available, traffickers are shifting their illegal trade activities into the district.

Being a newly created district, police presence is low in Kamjong.

The limited number of police personnel cannot control the hilly terrain of the district and Assam Rifles are providing assistance to the district police in maintaining law and order condition, the police officer said.

Due to lack of adequate strength, the district police is in no condition to set up outposts along routes leading to the border.

Besides, there is not adequate vehicles for police to carry out regular patrol, which becomes an impediment in policing works.

The district police had brought up the mat ter to the notice of the authority concerned but no initiatives have been taken up so far, the officer added.

Apart from enhancing the police strength and adding more vehicles in the fleet, there is also the need for setting up a special unit of police for swift response to any information of illegal activities.

Prompt response in this regard can help in controlling the increasing cases of illegal trade activities in the district before the traffickers establish their roots in the district, he said.

Expressing fear that delay in taking up the required initiative will convert the district into a hub for illegal trade activities like Moreh and Churachandpur, the police officer drew attention of the government authority to take up swift measures in this regard.

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