Aizawl: Smuggling of narcotics and Burmese areca nuts from Myanmar into Mizoram has fallen significantly in recent weeks following intensified security measures along the international border, officials informed Chief Minister Lalduhoma during a high-level review meeting on 19 November.
The Chief Minister chaired the assessment session to evaluate the performance of the Home Department as well as the Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation Department. According to an official release, senior Home Department officials reported that surveillance has been strengthened across the 510-km Mizoram–Myanmar frontier, where 12 police stations and 10 Assam Rifles duty posts are currently operational.
They said that increased vigilance and coordinated enforcement efforts have played a crucial role in disrupting drug trafficking networks and curbing the illegal influx of Burmese areca nuts, a trade that has posed persistent challenges for the state.
The meeting also took stock of plans to establish border haats aimed at boosting regulated cross-border trade. In line with directives from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the first such facility is set to come up at Zote in Champhai district.
Since October, authorities have issued 21,238 passes under the Free Movement Regime, enabling controlled and documented movement of people between India and Myanmar.
Officials further briefed the Chief Minister that preparations are in progress for the next round of talks with Assam to address the long-standing inter-state border dispute, signalling continued efforts to resolve the issue through dialogue.
