Mizoram emerges as transit hub for explosives smuggling

Manipur governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla chaired a security review meeting at Raj Bhavan in Imphal on Tuesday, following Union home minister Amit Shah's March 1 directive to security forces to ensure free movement of people in the strife-torn state from March 8.

- Thomas Ngangom

NEW DELHI: On the afternoon of March 1, Assam Rifles personnel posted in Mizoram's Siaha district, sandwiched between the Indo-Bangladesh and Indo-Myanmar border, apprehended a man with 46 packets of explosives, a military camouflage outfit, and ammunition. This marked the ninth time this year that the force intercepted explosives being smuggled from the northeastern state to anti-junta forces in Myanmar or insurgent groups in Bangladesh.

In 2024, there were 13 such seizures, aggregating over 2000 kg of explosives, at least 60,000 detonators, and 13,000 gelatine sticks, according to data reviewed by Hindustan Times.

But in the first two months of this year, there have been nine seizures, involving 1150kg explosives, 15,270 detonators, and 6,030 gelatine sticks.

The source of the explosives is usually licensed dealers who sell them for use in mining and quarrying; but there is significant misappropriation, and then smuggling.