Assam Rifles units, operating under the Army's Spear Corps in coordination with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and state police, have carried out large-scale seizures of narcotics and weapons across Assam and Manipur in intelligence-based operations conducted on Friday. The haul — valued at approximately ₹82.5 crore — includes brown sugar, methamphetamine tablets, and six firearms, with nine persons apprehended in total.

What Was Seized

Security forces recovered 10.891 kg of brown sugar worth nearly ₹80 crore and approximately 14,000 Yaba/methamphetamine tablets valued at nearly ₹2.5 crore during operations in Jiribam, Manipur and the Sribhumi district of Assam. Six persons were apprehended in connection with the narcotics seizure.

A separate intelligence-based operation by the Assam Rifles and Manipur Police in Imphal East district led to the recovery of six firearms. Follow-up operations at Keishampat and Charangpat resulted in the arrest of three active cadres of the UNLF (K) — an insurgent outfit — who were allegedly involved in an extortion network.

The Insurgency-Narcotics Link

According to a senior official, several insurgent outfits that were weakened during counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in Manipur are now reportedly attempting to regroup through extortion and recruitment. 'Several insurgent outfits that were dealt a heavy blow during Counter Insurgency/Counter Terrorism (CI/CT) operations in Manipur over the years, are trying to regroup through extortion and recruitment. There is also trafficking of narcotics from across the border that helps in funding their efforts,' the official said.

Drugs such as brown sugar and Yaba are sourced from Myanmar, where insurgent groups operating in the northeastern states maintain camps, according to officials. The Army has clarified that while it is not directly responsible for law and order in Manipur, narcotics smuggling is directly linked to insurgency financing.

Context: Manipur's Ongoing Crisis

The ethnic violence that has gripped Manipur since May 2023 has claimed 306 lives, according to the state government. The Assam Rifles is currently providing assistance to state police in recovering illegal weapons under these circumstances. The joint operations are aimed at dismantling illegal arms and extortion rackets operating in the state.

The Spear Corps noted in a post on social media platform X: 'The successful operations underscore the effectiveness of inter-agency coordination and the unwavering resolve of Assam Rifles to disrupt narcotics networks, deny illicit trafficking routes and safeguard the North-eastern states from the menace of drugs.'

Broader Anti-Narcotics Push

The operations align with the Centre's 'Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan', under which all agencies have been directed to intensify surveillance in states where drug trafficking is widespread. Officials warn that trafficking networks are actively targeting youth in the northeastern states, luring them with promises of high earnings. 'The effort is to bring about peace in Manipur. This can happen only through the seizure of narcotics and illegal arms. There is a close link to narcotics and what is happening in the state now. Illegal weapons are also a factor,' a senior official said.

Security forces have indicated that operations against major trafficking networks in the region will continue, with the Army and Assam Rifles set to maintain their support to civil authorities in the crackdown.