Feb. 2, 2025: The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has issued a compelling memorandum urging Northeastern state Chief Ministers and the Indian government to address the escalating threat of narco-terrorism gripping the region.
Highlighting recent revelations of a sophisticated underground tunnel facilitating drug smuggling along the Myanmar-Mizoram border, COCOMI underscores the urgency of the situation.
Recent intelligence reports accessed by credible sources have uncovered alarming details of drug trafficking activities, implicating powerful syndicates spanning across Mizoram and Myanmar’s Chin State.
The memorandum pointed out that these activities have resulted in significant seizures of methamphetamine, heroin, and other illicit substances valued at crores of rupees. Shockingly, Manipur alone has seized narcotics worth over ₹142 crores since 2019, highlighting the region’s vulnerability to transnational criminal networks.
In response to this grave threat, COCOMI advocates for the declaration of the Northeastern region as a “Narco-Terrorist Emergency Zone.” This initiative aims to mobilize national resources effectively to combat the crisis.
The memorandum proposes the establishment of a dedicated Anti-Narcotics Bureau to enhance coordination among state governments, local authorities, and international partners in combating drug trafficking and related terrorism.
Furthermore, COCOMI demands a thorough investigation into the alleged complicity of influential individuals and entities, both domestically and internationally, in perpetuating these illicit activities. Stringent border management and surveillance measures are also urged to dismantle smuggling networks and prevent further infiltration of drugs and arms.
Warning against the potential transformation of Manipur and the broader Northeastern region into a focal point for regional instability, COCOMI stresses the urgent need for intervention. Chief Ministers and the Government of India are called upon to take decisive action to avert a full-blown crisis that could have repercussions extending beyond national borders.
