War against drugs intensified in Mizoram, Op Jericho extended: Minister Sapdanga | Guwahati News

Aizawl: Mizoram home minister K Sapdanga said the war against drugs is being intensified due to drug traffickers changing their routes along the Mizoram-Myanmar border. Operation Jericho, scheduled to be concluded on Dec 31, has been extended till March 31.Sapdanga told STOI that since Operation Jericho was launched on Sept 1, the prices of drugs have skyrocketed, signifying a shortage of availability of drugs in the state due to the concerted efforts of the law enforcement agencies and civil society units along the Myanmar border to curb trafficking.He said traffickers have altered their normal entry points and conduits, requiring more intensified efforts. “We have received inputs that as the traffickers found it hard to smuggle the drugs across Mizoram-Myanmar border, they are now trying to traffick the drugs via Manipur,” he said.Security has been beefed up at the main entry points between Mizoram and Manipur — the two bridges over Tuivai river — while other lesser-known entry points are also being closely watched, the minister said. He added additional police force has been sent to the Manipur border areas.He also said as the drug traffickers have been reported to be targeting south Mizoram’s Lawngtlai and Siaha districts as alternative conduits, deputy commissioners of the two districts have been instructed to coordinate with the Central Young Lai Association of Lawngtlai district and the Mara Thyutlia Py, or Mara youth association, to prevent the entry of traffickers along the Myanmar border with the districts.As part of Operation Jericho, around 100 drug addicts, who have been roaming the streets of Aizawl city were rounded up and admitted to the Tawngtai Bethel Camping Centre, a rehabilitation centre, on Christmas eve after being provided food. The addicts had been sleeping on footpaths and refused to return to their homes.