Agartala: The Assam Rifles, in a joint operation with the Customs Preventive Force, Champhai, recently recovered a significant quantity of illegal areca nuts in the Zote area of the district.
The operation, which resulted in the seizure of 10,320 kgs of areca nuts valued at approximately Rs 72.24 lakh, highlights the ongoing efforts of the security forces to curb smuggling activities in the region. The entire consignment has been handed over to the Customs Preventive Force, Champhai, for further legal action.
Smuggling of contraband items remains a major concern in Mizoram and across India. The Assam Rifles, recognized as the ‘Sentinels of Northeast,’ have intensified their operations to combat this illegal trade and apprehend the key players involved.
In a separate series of joint operations in Manipur, the Indian Army, in coordination with the Assam Rifles, CRPF, and Manipur Police, successfully recovered a cache of arms and ammunition. These operations, conducted across various districts including Imphal West, Chandel, Thoubal, Kangpokpi, and Churcahandpur, resulted in the seizure of 42 weapons, including a Carbine Machine Gun (CMG), a modified .303 rifle, 9mm pistols, single-barrel rifles, grenades, and a substantial quantity of ammunition and war-like stores.
In another significant operation on December 31, 2024, a joint team of Assam Rifles and Manipur Police recovered an M-16 rifle, three Lathods, seven Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), ammunition, and war-like stores in the general area between Thingphai and TS Laijang village in Chandel district.
These successful operations underscore the commitment of the security forces to maintaining peace and security in the region and disrupting the activities of criminal elements involved in smuggling and illegal arms trade.
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