Voicing concern over drug smuggling, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on November 22 said that drug trafficking from across the border is a major concern for the northeast region.

“The drug supply chain from Myanmar through Mizoram and Assam border has emerged as a major problem for northeastern states. The two-day meeting of DGPs and heads of CPOs of the Northeast region will throw light on the problem and find ways for tackling it effectively,” the Chief Minister said while inaugurating the meeting at Pragna Bhawan, Agartala.

Tripura is being used as a corridor for drug trafficking from Myanmar to Bangladesh through Mizoram and Assam, he said.

Saha further said that there will also be a discussion on how to curb ganja smuggling from the northeastern state (Tripura) to mainland states with law enforcement agencies seizing cannabis almost every day. Tripura is second in the seizure and destruction of various drugs in the region.

“The presence of insurgency is reduced to thin in the region which had witnessed bloodshed spilling over several years but a few groups still have a presence across the border. The security agencies working in the region are keeping a close eye on the security situation,” the CM added.

On the issue of infiltration, Saha said, “The Central and state governments have already taken up the unfenced border issue with Dhaka to get the border fully fenced. This (infiltration) will also come up in the conference to adopt a strategy to stop infiltration from across the border.”

When asked about the entry of Rohingyas, Saha, who is in charge of the Home portfolio, said many Rohingyas were detained in the Northeastern state and legal action was taken against illegal infiltrators.

Director Generals (DGs)/ Inspector Generals (IGs) of all the Northeastern states and senior officials of security and intelligence agencies will draw up a comprehensive strategy to address the common security concern at the meeting.