Crisis due to narco-terrorism, geopolitical interests: COCOMI
Memo to Northeast Chief Ministers urges Declaration of Narco-terrorist Emergency
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 02 2025: The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has submitted a memorandum to chief minister N Biren, urging immediate action against rapidly escalating narco-terrorism crisis in the northeast region.

COCOMI also submitted copies of the memorandum to BJP Manipur Pradesh general secretary K Sarat for submitting the same to the chief ministers of the north-eastern states ruled by BJP, including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura.

Interacting with the media after submitting the memorandum, COCOMI convenor Khuraijam Athouba said that the memorandum called upon the chief ministers of northeast states for the urgent declaration of a narco-terrorist emergency and the establishment of a dedicated anti-narcotics bureau to counter the growing influence of drug cartels along the Indo-Myanmar border.

Crisis due to narco-terrorism, geopolitical interests: COCOMI

COCOMI will also submit copies of the memorandum to the chief ministers of the remaining northeast states soon.

In the memorandum, COCOMI cited intelligence and media reports, including News18 and The People's Chronicle, about existence of a sophisticated underground tunnel along the Myanmar-Mizoram border allegedly used for large-scale drug smuggling.

The report said the tunnel, capable of accommodating heavy vehicles, indicates collusion between powerful actors in Mizoram, Myanmar's Chin state, and external entities with alleged links to efforts to establish a 'Christian State' spanning India, Myanmar, and Bangladesh.

The memorandum underscored the alarming increase in drug and arms smuggling, facilitated by weak security measures and a porous 1,643-km border with Myanmar.

It warned that the international recognition of the Manipur crisis as one of the world's top conflicts (Foreign Policy Journal) highlights the potential for further destabilisation.

COCOMI also highlighted that between March 2022 and May 2023, Manipur authorities confiscated narcotics worth Rs 142 crore, leading to 764 arrests under the NDPS Act.

The fiscal year 2022-23 recorded the highest seizure of contraband valued at Rs 1,672 crore.

Mizoram has also seen massive drug busts, including Rs 355 crore haul between April 2024 and January 2025, while Assam reported drug seizures worth Rs 682 crore in 2023, 5,059 arrests and 3,287 cases registered.

COCOMI maintained that the crisis is not simply an ethnic conflict, as claimed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, but is deeply rooted in narco-terrorism and geopolitical interests.

It demanded that Northeast CMs pressure the Government of India to declare a narco-terrorist emergency zone, establish a specialised anti-narcotics bureau, investigate influential figures linked to the drug trade, dismantle smuggling tunnels, and implement a comprehensive security policy to address the crisis.

The memorandum warned that continued inaction will have severe national and international consequences, potentially turning Manipur and the Northeast into a major flashpoint for regional instability.

COCOMI urged the chief ministers to act collectively and demand immediate intervention from the central government before the situation spirals further out of control.

Along with the memorandum, CO-COMI also submitted an enclosure presenting a comprehensive analysis of drug seizures from 2000 to 2025, detailing the quantity of drugs seized, the number of arrests, key locations, and the changing trends in drug trafficking over the years.

It stated that the North East region of India, with its long and porous border with Myanmar, has become a major transit route for narcotics such as heroin, methamphetamine, cannabis, and opium.

The region's difficult terrain and limited enforcement infrastructure have enabled transnational syndicates, including Myanmar-based operatives and local gangs, to thrive in drug trafficking.

From 2000 to 2025, Mizoram has recorded the highest volume of drug seizures, particularly methamphetamine.

Champhai and Aizawl districts have emerged as key trafficking hubs due to their proximity to Myanmar.

Methamphetamine seizures have increased significantly since 2015, surpassing heroin and opium, reflecting a shift towards synthetic drugs.

The number of seizures has risen year after year, highlighting the expanding drug network in the region.

Moreh in Manipur, Champhai in Mizoram, and Dimapur in Nagaland have been consistently identified as major transit points for narcotics.

Despite increased law enforcement efforts, drug trafficking remains a significant challenge.

Myanmar-based cartels continue to exploit weak border security, making Mizoram the most affected state.

The enclosure emphasised the urgent need for enhanced cooperation among law enforcement agencies, stricter border monitoring, and sustained vigilance to counter the growing narcotics trade in North East India.