Mizoram: 1,800 Rounds Of AK-47 Bullets Seized, Myanmar Nationals Among 3 Held

The Mizoram Police along with Assam Rifles has arrested three people, including two Myanmar nationals with 1,800 rounds of AK-47 bullets.

Guwahati: The Mizoram Police and Assam Rifles in a joint operation on Tuesday recovered a staggering 1,800 live rounds of AK-47 ammunition in the hill state’s Siaha district. Based on specific intelligence input, the joint teams of Mizoram Police and Assam Rifles carried out an operation at the Tlangpuikawn area of Siaha district and intercepted three two-wheelers and recovered the huge cache of ammunition.

All three persons, including two Myanmar nationals, were arrested. The two Myanmar nationals, hailing from Western Myanmar’s Chin State, reportedly smuggled the consignment from the neighbouring country -- first to the Archung village in Mizoram’s Lawngtlai district and were then further trying to transport it to its final destination with the help of the third accused from India when they were apprehended at Siaha by the security forces.

Speaking to ABP Live, Mizoram Director General of Police (DGP), Anil Shukla said, “We have arrested three persons in connection with the recovery of the ammunition and they are currently being interrogated at the Siaha police station. We are trying to find out the place of origin and final destination of the consignment of ammunition. They will be produced before the court later in the day and we will seek their remand for further investigation.”

According to the Mizoram police, there has been a sharp increase in cross-border smuggling activities in the state in recent times. The state shares a 510-kilometre-long border with Myanmar.

It is evident from the recent arrests and seizures of contraband items, that smuggling of narcotic drugs, Burmese areca nuts, exotic animals, gold and Burmese cigarettes besides others, is quite rampant in Mizoram, which often make their way into the state through the porous Indo-Myanmar international borders. Most of these smuggled items make their way into India through the Champhai district of the state.    

The recent influx of Myanmar nationals into India, owing to the civil war in the neighbouring country, has also raised concerns for the security forces.