Myanmar matrix and security and smuggling issues in Mizoram

Pu David was on a bike. His aging father along. They were stopped at Zote checkpost and frisked. 

A big bag too was surveyed properly and then let to go.

The Assam Rifles man in camouflage doing the job is from Karnataka. His Hindi may not be very good. But he has picked up Mizo language quite fast. He avoids eye contact with the unexpected guest - this blogger. Focused on his job; he addresses 70 year old David's father as "Kappu" (a common salutation for the elderly).

His colleagues say the Karnataka young lad has a sharp instinct and can quickly spot the wrongdoers. 

The Assam Rifles here in Mizoram is The Sentinels of The North East and guarding Indian borders with Bangladesh and Myanmar. 

The border guarding responsibilities in Mizoram is with Assam Rifles and not with the BSF. They seem to discharge the duties enthusiaatically and professionally. 

The Kuki-Meitei conflict in Manipur in 2023 was linked to narcotics and arms. The way it has blown up, it may not be just racial.

Myanmar definitely is at the heart of the ‘golden triangle’ of narcotics smuggling - two other countries being Laos and Thailand. Drug abuse and smuggling is maximum in Manipur for decades now.

The Modi government likes a friendly and pragmatic policy towards Myanmar. Therefore, the old emotions about democracy is a thingof bygone era. India is now open to do business with whichever government is in power in Myanmar. For that matter even with Bangladesh; New Delhi has made an extra ordinary rounds of outreach.

Security analysts in Aizawl say New Delhi depends a lot on Myanmar to deny Indian rebels their key forest bases. On the other hand, the military junta could be China-friendly, yet the Tatmadaw (military dispensation) relies on Indian support in limiting the Arakan Army and for other welfare measures like Covid vaccines.

Notably, a large number of Myanmar citizens are already in Mizoram since the 2021 coup; yet the Government of India has not called them 'refugees' officially.  

The humanitarian assistance continues and the Mizoram government is shouldering it. 

_Badarpur Railway Police in Assam detained Aizawl resident D. Lalrinsanga Fanai after recovering 10 gold biscuits totaling 1 kg 650 grams, worth Rs 1.30 crore, during routine checks on the Silchar-Guwahati Express on Jan 28 late evening.

The gold was reportedly transported from Mizoram via Sairang Express for onward journey to Guwahati. Investigation continues to trace the smuggling network.

There is a land border of 1600 kms between the two country and there is a Free Movement Regime.

In 2018 both sides activated the FMR for people residing in villages near their 1,643 km-long border. 

In January 2018, the Union cabinet had approved it, but Myanmar forced a deferment. At one stage,

India also had deferred it, fearing that it would aid the influx of persecuted Rohingyas into India. But 

by October 2018, it was given green signal.

In 2024, Govt of India announced fencing.

Myanmar also has maritime proximity to the Andaman and Nicobar islands and there are vital projects

like the Kaladan Multi Modal Transport project. 

Ends