Mizoram seeks Centre’s help to fight drug menace

    23-Aug-2019
 
Newmai News Network
AIZAWL, Aug  23: The Mizoram Government has sought help from the Centre to fight the growing menace of drug abuse in the State.
An official statement said that Mizoram Chief Minister, Zoramthanga, who is currently in Delhi, on Friday called on Union Ministers and also officials of the Airport Authority of India (AAI).
During his meeting with Union Tribal Affairs Minister, Arjun Munda, Zoramthanga said that massive efforts have to be made to curb the growing abuse and smuggling of drugs in Mizoram since it is located on the international border and near the Golden Triangle (Thailand, Myanmar, Loas), which is famous for drug smuggling, the statement added.
He also appealed the Union Minister for help as the State is planning to set up state-of-the art rehabilitation Centre for addicts.
The two leaders also discussed a wide range of issues including setting up of centre of excellence in sports, market for farmers, and construction of tribal hostels at Mizoram University and bamboo plantation, among others.
It can be mentioned here that the growing drug menace is a major concern in Mizoram.
Apart from the State Government, several NGOs, including the largest civil organisation, Young Mizo Association (YMA) are working hard to curb the menace.
On July 17, YMA volunteers and State police seized 6 lakh tablets of Methamphetamine worth Rs 20 crore at Sailulak village in Serchhip district on the Mizoram- Myanmar border, which is known to be the biggest drug haul ever made in the State.
Mizoram is sandwiched between Myanmar and Bangladesh, with whom it shares about 820 km international border.
Zoramthanga also called on Union Railway and Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal at the latter’s office on Friday.
Both the leaders discussed about the ongoing construction of railway line between Bairabi and Sairang, upgrade of land custom station at Zokhawthar on the Indo-Myanmar border, the ongoing construction of border trade at Saisihchhuah, Hnahlan, Vaphai, Farkawn and Thingsai near Myanmar border and the Act East Policy.
The Chief Minister proposed for construction of two more land custom stations at Kawrpuichhuah and Zorinpui on the Mizoram-Myanmar border.
He also proposed to hold talks with the Myanmar Government to curb illegal cross border trade.
Zoramthanga also on Friday met with officials of Airport Authority of India (AAI) and sought helicopter and additional flight service in the state, an official statement said. He also urged the official to upgrade the lone Lengpui airport in the state, the statement added.