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Key Points

Mizoram's Chief Minister Lalduhoma met Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss critical border security challenges. The primary focus was establishing a Mizo Territorial Army to combat extensive drug smuggling from Myanmar. Mizoram's unique geographical position with unfenced borders makes it vulnerable to cross-border illegal activities. The proposed Territorial Army would strengthen vigilance and help control narcotics trafficking in the region.

Key Points: Lalduhoma Meets Shah on Mizo Territorial Army Drug Fight

  • Mizoram seeks Territorial Army to combat Myanmar border drug smuggling
  • NCB proposes zonal office in state
  • 510 km unfenced border with Myanmar poses security challenges
3 min read

Mizoram CM discusses with HM Shah proposal to raise Mizo Territorial Army to tackle drug trafficking

Mizoram CM discusses border security, drug trafficking, and territorial army formation with Union Home Minister Amit Shah

"The state government has manpower shortages to deal with narcotics trafficking - Mizoram Government Official"

Aizawl, May 24

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi and discussed the state's important issues including raising Mizo Territorial Army (MTA) to fight against drug trafficking along the India-Myanmar border, officials said on Saturday.

An official of Mizoram government said that the Chief Minister also discussed with the Union Home Minister about the other key issues including the state's flagship livelihood scheme Bana Kaih Scheme (Hand holding), Lengpui Airport, depreciated cost of buildings and infrastructure in Assam Rifles land besides the formation of Mizo Territorial Army (MTA).

The official said that for quite a long time the state government has been requesting the Centre to help the state to raise the MTA to deal with the smuggling of drugs and other contrabands being illegally imported from Myanmar.

"The state government has manpower shortages to deal with the narcotics trafficking from across the border. The state government earlier submitted proposals to the Ministry of Home Affairs about the raising of the MTA," he said.

Amidst the unabated smuggling of various drugs from Myanmar, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has recently proposed setting up its zonal office in Mizoram. NCB Director General Anurag Garg recently met Mizoram Chief Minister and suggested setting up of a full-fledged NCB zonal office in the state and emphasised the need for more staff and officials, who are acquainted in the local language and the ground situation of the state.

Lalduhoma, a former IPS officer, during the meeting with Garg had discussed ways and means to curb the drug trade and usage of narcotics by the youth.

Lalduhoma had told the NCB DG that he has already requested the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to constitute or to allow the state government to form Mizo Territorial Army to further strengthen vigilance along the state's unfenced borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh.

Mizoram shares a 510 km and 318 km unfenced border with Myanmar and Bangladesh, respectively.

Neighbouring Myanmar's Chin state is a hub for smuggling of varied drugs, exotic wildlife animals and many other contrabands through six Mizoram districts -- Champhai, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Hnahthial, Saitual, and Serchhip.

Mountainous Champhai district is a hotspot for the smuggling of diverse drugs including highly addictive methamphetamine tablets, foreign cigarettes, areca nuts, arms and ammunition, and exotic animals and their parts.

Meanwhile, on March 15, after a many years of persuasion, in presence of Union Home Minister and Chief Minister, the Assam Rifles land in Aizawl handed over to Mizoram government and the Assam Rifles establishments had been shifted from Aizawl to Zokhawsang, 15 km away from the state capital.

In 1988, the then Mizo National Front (MNF) government headed by former Chief Minister Laldenga first raised the demand for relocation of the Assam Rifles complex from Aizawl to Zokhawsang after the paramilitary force allegedly killed 11 civilians in a violent clash.

In February 2019, the Union Home Ministry directed the paramilitary force to shift its complex to Zokhawsang.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
Finally some concrete steps being taken! The drug menace from Myanmar is destroying our northeastern youth. MTA with local knowledge can be more effective than central forces who don't understand Mizo language/culture. Hope HM Shah approves this quickly 🙏
P
Priya M.
While MTA is needed, we must also focus on rehabilitation centers. My cousin in Aizawl got addicted to meth tablets from Myanmar. More NCB presence is good but treatment facilities are equally important. Prevention + cure both needed!
S
Sanjay T.
Why only Mizoram? All northeastern states bordering Myanmar need special forces. Manipur is also suffering badly. Central government should have one comprehensive policy for entire region instead of piecemeal solutions.
M
Meena L.
Good move but hope MTA recruitment will be transparent. Such forces sometimes become political tools. Also, what about fencing the border? 510km unfenced border with Myanmar is an open invitation for smugglers. #SecureBordersFirst
A
Arjun P.
As someone posted in Assam Rifles earlier, local forces do better in countering insurgency but need proper training. Hope MTA gets same level of weapons/training as central forces. Drug cartels are well-armed and dangerous.
N
Neha R.
The Assam Rifles land handover shows positive center-state coordination. More such cooperation needed! But I worry - will MTA have enough women personnel? Female officers are crucial when dealing with women smugglers who often hide drugs in clothing.

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