Security beefed up along Myanmar border to prevent smuggling

Security beefed up along Myanmar border to prevent smuggling
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

MOREH (MANIPUR), AUG 7: Security has been beefed up along the Indo-Myanmar international border to prevent smuggling of arms and narcotics through this border town in Chandel district, police said on Monday.

There were reports of arms and contraband items like narcotics being smuggled into the region through Moreh and several other unguarded border points -- mostly in thick jungles -- police said.

Interior Chandel district alone shares about 230 kms of international boundary with Myanmar.

Arms including five pistols, two carbines and a large quantity of ammunition of weapons like AK 47 and .9mm pistols had been recovered during operations between 1998 and till now.

Personnel from Customs, Assam Rifles and Border Security Force (BSF) seized about 8100 tablets of new narcotic drugs, locally known as `Ayaba' or `Speed' between 1998 and till now.

The sub-divisional police officer of Moreh, P Ranjit said the police and security agencies were active in the border town and along the national highway Number 39 (Moreh-Imphal road).

Official sources said the highly sophisticated weapons used by militants operating in the region also proved that a large number of arms were smuggled into the region from across the border.

The sources said quoting reports that some Manipur-based militants had set up camps in areas on the Myanmar side.

Col H S Pathania, Commandant of the Seventh Assam Rifles battalion which has operational area in Thoubal and interior Chandel districts, told newsmen that security personnel were aware of the reports of some underground groups being sheltered on the Myanmar side.

He said security personnel were also aware of the reports of `inflow' of arms to this region.

A security official said some Manipur-based militants had set up their camps at Kondong village, interior namphalong and Tamu -- all on Myanmar side.

Official sources said the smuggling continued through Reh, considered the major gateway of smuggled items to India before opening of Indo-Myanmar border trade five years back, even after trade between two countries began.

Sources said narcotic substances including heroin and amphetamine type of table continued to be smuggled through this town and some "unguarded" border points.

The tablet manufactured out of amphetamine and some synthetic substances was in great demand in some areas, sources said.

One tablet cost Rs 100 in Moreh, Rs 400 in metropolitan centres and even fetched a big sum in foreign countries, Rs 1,000 in Indian currency for one tablet, the sources added.