What Happened to the 61 Trucks of Illegally Transported Timber Seized in Manipur?

Imphal, May 26 (NationPress) The security forces have confiscated 610 tons of timber, valued at Rs 3.10 crore, that was illegally transported in Manipur's Tengnoupal district, which borders Myanmar, as reported by officials on Monday.

A defence spokesperson confirmed that the timber was transported in 61 trucks, and these vehicles have been seized under the Motor Vehicles Act of 2019 and the Manipur Forest Rules of 2021.

The confiscated timber along with the trucks is now in the custody of the Manipur Police at the Tengnoupal Police Station for further investigation and legal proceedings, according to officials.

This operation was a collaborative effort between the Assam Rifles and the Manipur Police.

A police representative stated that investigations are underway, in conjunction with officials from the Forest Department, to determine the source of this large shipment and its intended destination.

Authorities are also examining whether the timber was smuggled from Myanmar, which shares a 398-km-long unfenced border with Manipur.

Illicit trafficking of various goods, including drugs, exotic animals, and other contraband, frequently occurs across the Manipur-Myanmar border.

Furthermore, an official noted that the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has intensified its border fencing efforts along the India-Myanmar frontier near Moreh town, part of the ongoing efforts to secure the area. This fencing will be executed in phases, with 10 km already completed.

The border fencing initiative is part of the ‘Project Sewak’ by the BRO, which oversees construction projects in Nagaland and Manipur, with its headquarters located in Dimapur, Nagaland.

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs previously announced plans to fence the entire 1,643 km porous border between India and Myanmar across four northeastern states—Manipur, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland—due to its association with arms and narcotics trafficking, with an estimated cost of Rs 31,000 crore.

Manipur's border with Myanmar extends 398 km, while Arunachal Pradesh has 520 km, Nagaland has 215 km, and Mizoram has 510 km.

Opposition to the India-Myanmar border fencing has emerged from various Naga, Mizo, and Kuki-Zo-Hmar tribal organizations, along with local political factions and the governments of Nagaland and Mizoram.

Recently, Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla conducted a review of the border fencing progress along the India-Myanmar frontier, as stated by officials.

A representative from Raj Bhavan mentioned that during a high-level meeting, the Governor assessed the status of the fencing efforts and discussed various challenges related to the project.

During the meeting held at Raj Bhavan, officials from the Border Roads Task Force (BRTF) provided updates on project advancements, addressing issues related to land acquisition, access roads, security, personnel, and other relevant matters.

The BRTF operates under the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). Attendance included Manipur Chief Secretary Prashant Kumar Singh, Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, Director General of Police Rajiv Singh, and other key officials, with Deputy Commissioners from five border districts participating via video conference.