The northeastern states of India are facing an escalating drug crisis fueled by the easy availability and affordability of illicit substances. This disturbing trend is closely linked to the porous Indo-Myanmar border, through which various types of drugs, often in multiple forms, are smuggled into the region. The situation in the border districts of Nagaland with Myanmar serves as one grim example of the extent to which the drug epidemic is impacting communities along this border. To illustrate earlier reports, Longwa, located right along the Indo-Myanmar border, has become a hotspot of drug trafficking-specifically involving the drug dubbed “Sunflower” or “Shan Flower,” named after its origins in Myanmar’s Shan State, where over 85% of it is produced. The affected community is grappling with far-reaching consequences as addiction crushes families and fuels a rise in crime and social instability. The drug’s journey within Nagaland mirrors its ease of procurement: a packet of Sunflower drugs can be obtained in Taklang for Rs 4-5 thousand, but by the time it reaches other towns in the border districts, the price soars to Rs 35-40 thousand or more. The distribution network relies heavily on ‘internal carriers’ who transport the drugs from village to village, spreading addiction along the way. Equally alarming is the increasing number of young users, with reports indicating many schoolchildren are falling prey to this menace. This trend signals a deep-rooted problem that demands urgent and serious intervention. The tip of the iceberg was the arrest of Bahar Uddin a drug kingpin by the Assam Police in Sonitpur, Assam, on March 23 last year with active initiative by Dimapur Police. Bahar Uddin, a prominent resident of Dimapur, was president of the New Market Jama Masjid Committee in Dimapur. He was found to have built an expansive drug trafficking and distribution network extending within Dimapur and beyond. Official sources reveal that his business ventures included multiple firms, brick fields, and buildings, underscoring how drug proceeds often entwine themselves with legitimate enterprises. The magnitude of drug smuggling from Myanmar to northeastern states like Manipur, Nagaland, and Assam is enormous. The largest heroin seizure recorded was in December 2021 when the Assam Rifles and Manipur Police confiscated over 54 kilograms of heroin worth Rs 508 crore in the market. Yet recent data shows an alarming rise: between July 2022 and July 2023 security forces in Manipur alone seized drugs valued over Rs 1,610 crore in the market-nearly double the Rs 850 crore seized in the preceding two financial years combined. This surge in drug trafficking is also intertwined with social conflict. The ethnic clashes in Manipur between the Meiteis and Kukis reportedly have deep connections to the lucrative drug trade, implicating a wide range of stakeholders, including politicians and uniformed personnel. Though the capture of high-profile traffickers like Bahar Uddin is a noteworthy win, it must be acknowledged that the persistent demand for these addictive substances continues to lure new traffickers into the illicit trade. The drug menace is no longer a localized problem confined to a few areas. It is a regional problem spilling over into a national crisis. Only through coordinated efforts involving law enforcement, community engagement, and stringent border control can this growing threat be tackled effectively. The northeastern states have little option but to plan out a blueprint to counter drug smuggling, rehabilitate addicts, and restore social harmony before the scourge of addiction irreversibly damages the fabric of their societies.
Sunday, June 29, 2025