Northeast India’s long-standing tradition of opium smoking has undergone a transformative shift over the years. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the introduction of heroin in the early 1970s marked a turning point in the region’s drug landscape. The once prevalent opium smoking practice was gradually replaced by the allure of heroin, particularly in states adjacent to Myanmar.
A report by the Transnational Institute reveals that during the 1970s, opium users in Northeast India shifted towards morphine, which was legally available as a medicinal product. However, as morphine control measures tightened, a new trend emerged. This shift coincided with the rise of heroin production in the notorious Golden Triangle, an area where the borders of Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos meet and historically, opium and heroin production thrived. The Transnational Institute (TNI), is an international non-profit research and advocacy think tank that was founded in 1974, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
This geographical proximity to the Golden Triangle has contributed significantly to the emergence of Northeast India as a drug trafficking nucleus. Manipur and Nagaland, in particular, witnessed the abundant availability of high-quality Burmese “no. 4 heroin,” in cheap price resulting in a shift towards heroin consumption through smoking.
The Golden Triangle’s historical dominance in opium production took a downturn, with its share dropping from 66% in 1998 to a mere 12% in 2006 while Laos and Thailand almost remained opium free, as reported by the UNODC. Simultaneously, opium cultivation in Northeast India surged, driven by shifting cultivation patterns and increasing demand.
Factors influencing this surge include the changing opium cultivation locations within Myanmar due to bans and poverty, contributing to demand in Southeast Asian and Chinese drug markets.
“It also coincides with a shift in opium cultivation from Burma’s Wa and Kokang regions in northern Shan state (where it was banned in 2003 and 2005) to southern Shan state. Demand for opium and heroin in the Southeast Asian and Chinese drug markets, poverty in upland communities in Northeast India, and the continuing conflict in these areas create further incentive,” elucidates research from the Transnational Institute titled ‘On the Frontline of Northeast India.’
However, the military coup in Myanmar led to a sharp surge in opium production, reaching a nine-year peak. In 2022, production nearly doubled, touching 795 metric tonnes—up from 423 metric tonnes in 2021. Opium poppy cultivation areas also rose by a third to 40,100 hectares, as per the UN report, which highlights increasingly sophisticated farming practices.
Complex drug routes challenges NE’s security
The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has underlined the ease with which drug trafficking traverses the porous border between Myanmar and the northeastern Indian states of Manipur, Mizoram, and Nagaland.
The intricate fabric of drug production and trafficking within Northeast India weaves a complex narrative, spanning several dimensions. From illicit opium and cannabis cultivation to the smuggling of heroin and amphetamines, the region grapples with a multifaceted crisis. The trafficking of pharmaceuticals, like dextropropoxyphene and codeine-containing cough syrups, alongside the transportation of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine precursors for amphetamine manufacturing, underscored the far-reaching impact.
Northeast India faces an intricate battle against drug trafficking, with substances flowing from the notorious ‘Golden Triangle’ and local production. The trade’s convoluted pathways evade law enforcement, entering through points like Bhamo, Lashio, and Mandalay in Myanmar. Routes split, moving north via Manipur and south into Mizoram, with auxiliary corridors complicating the network.
The UNODC highlights the influx of potent ‘Number 4’ heroin through Moreh-Chandel, East Manipur. The drug then follows National Highway 39 to Imphal and advances through Kohima, Nagaland. Complicating matters, consignments from Myanmar’s Tahan and Falam reach Mizoram before spreading to Bangladesh and nearby Indian states of Tripura and Assam. Apart from the consignments coming via National Highway 39 from Imphal, Nagaland reportedly witnesses an additional supply of heroin trickling into the state from across the border with Myanmar through entry points near Tuensang.
However, the porous borders and adaptability of traffickers challenge authorities, rendering it difficult to pinpoint a state as the ‘source’.
Social vulnerabilities
Amidst these intricate routes, experts agree that the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar emerges as both a catalyst and a conduit, exploited by insurgents, crime syndicates, and drug cartels alike. Corruption among local authorities compounds the problem, hinting at the nefarious underbelly of the border region.
The youth population’s susceptibility to substance abuse is further exacerbated by rampant unemployment. The Periodic Labour Force Survey for 2019-20 reveals a troubling rise in unemployment rates across the Northeast. While unemployment rate in Nagaland (15 years and above) was 24.7%, up from 17.4 in 2018-19, all the North Eastern States had low rates with Sikkim at the lowest at 2.2% followed by Meghalaya (2.7) and Tripura (3.2%). The rates in other remaining NE states in ascending order were- Mizoram (5.7%), Arunachal Pradesh (6.7%), Assam (7.9%) and Manipur (9.5%).
In response, Nagaland has declared a ‘War on Drugs.’ Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, on 27 June 2023 vowed to combat the scourge of illicit drugs within the state’s boundaries.
The ‘Magnitude of Substance Use in India 2019’ report by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment paints a sobering picture. In Nagaland, 4.7% of the surveyed population admitted to using cannabis, while 6.5% acknowledged using opioids. The State Mental Health Institute in Kohima underscored that substance abuse accounts for 20% of reported mental illness cases in the state.
Nagaland Police has been actively involved in the war on drugs. Student leaders and civil society have been stepping up to combat the menace. In fact, one surprising development has been that the NSCN-K (Niki ) has expressed concern on the rampant rise of illegal activities including drug trafficking and scams of various forms and reportedly the NSCN/GPRN (Niki) Wokha region has even banned sale and transportation of all contraband drugs and alcohol within the district.
Concerns and way forward
However, a local media report on 11 June 2023 highlighted the government’s apparent failure to effectively contain the situation. The report also underscored the absence of “government-run rehabilitation centers” for drug addicts in Mon district. Furthermore, anti-narcotic cells under the Narcotic Psychotropic Substances Act 1985 in police stations remain inactive. Additionally, reports indicate that the demand for opening rehabilitation centers in certain districts has been overlooked.
While positive steps are being taken, challenges persist. A lack of government-run rehabilitation centers and anti-narcotic cells in certain regions hinder effective action and show lack of commitment. Moreover, cross-border collaboration is essential to curb drug trafficking.
In conclusion, Nagaland and Northeast India’s battle against drug trafficking and substance abuse requires a multi-faceted approach, encompassing law enforcement, socio-economic development, and regional cooperation. As the region grapples with its proximity to the Golden Triangle, concerted efforts are necessary to reclaim the region from the clutches of drug trafficking and its associated social ills.
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