Aizawl, April 23 (IANS) The Mizoram government has intensified efforts to curb the growing drug menace and dismantle trafficking networks in the border state, officials said on Thursday.

A Home Department official said the 12th State-Level NCORD (Narco Coordination Centre) meeting was held on Wednesday at the Secretariat Conference Hall in the New Capital Complex.

The meeting, chaired by Chief Secretary Khilli Ram Meena, was attended by Director General of Police Sharad Agarwal, senior state government officials, Deputy Commissioners, and Superintendents of Police from all 11 districts. Representatives from key agencies, including the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Assam Rifles, Border Security Force (BSF), Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau (SIB), and the Council of Churches in Mizoram, also participated.

During the meeting, the Chief Secretary reviewed the Action Taken Report of the 11th State-Level NCORD meeting, assessing progress and identifying gaps in enforcement and coordination. The Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for identifying and declaring drug-free villages across Mizoram was also presented and discussed in detail, reflecting the state’s focus on grassroots-level intervention.

Participants also deliberated on the 15 action points issued during the 9th Apex-Level NCORD meeting held in New Delhi, aligning state-level strategies with national priorities in the fight against narcotics.

The official noted that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had earlier chaired the 9th Apex-Level NCORD meeting in New Delhi, where he reviewed the country’s efforts to combat drug trafficking. The meeting brought together stakeholders from multiple ministries, state governments, and national drug law enforcement agencies.

Key focus areas of the national-level meeting included adopting a whole-of-government approach to dismantle drug cartels, addressing challenges posed by darknet-based trafficking, ensuring 360-degree investigations, and preventing the misuse of precursor chemicals.

The Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD), established by the Central Government in 2016, operates through a four-tier structure, with the apex-level committee headed by the Union Home Secretary. It serves as a central platform for coordination among various enforcement and intelligence agencies.

Mizoram’s geographical location adds to its vulnerability, as it shares a 510-km-long unfenced international border with Myanmar and a 318-km-long porous and mountainous border with Bangladesh. These conditions make the state particularly susceptible to cross-border smuggling of narcotics and other illegal goods.

Myanmar’s adjoining Chin State is widely regarded as a major hub for trafficking narcotics, arms and ammunition, exotic wildlife, rare medicinal plants, foreign-made cigarettes, Myanmar areca nuts (betel nuts), and other contraband. These illicit items are frequently smuggled through six districts of Mizoram — Champhai, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Hnahthial, Saitual, and Serchhip — posing significant challenges to law enforcement agencies.

Among the most commonly trafficked substances are methamphetamine tablets, popularly known as Yaba or “party tablets”. Often referred to as the “crazy drug”, Yaba is a potent combination of methamphetamine and caffeine and remains strictly prohibited in India due to its highly addictive and harmful nature.

–IANS

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