Imphal: In a significant crackdown against illegal logging and transportation, Manipur Police and Assam Rifles joint teams have intercepted and seized a whopping 610 tonnes of illegally transported timber, valued at an estimated Rs 3.10 crore, in the Tengnoupal district. The meticulously planned operation on May 23 saw the confiscation of 61 vehicles, all laden with the illicit consignment.
The paramilitary force, through their official handle on X, confirmed the seizure, stating that “Assam Rifles, along with @manipur_police, on May 23 2025, seized approximately 610 tonne of illegally transported timber worth Rs 3.10 crore. All 61 vehicles have been confiscated and legal proceedings have been initiated under the Motor Vehicles Act, 2019 and the Manipur Forest Rules, 2021.” The swift action underscores the continuous efforts by security forces to curb illicit activities in the region.
Following the successful operation, both the seized timber and the vehicles have been handed over to the Tengnoupal Police Station. Authorities are now actively pursuing investigations to ascertain the precise origin and intended destination of these massive timber consignments. An official closely associated with the probe indicated that a key line of inquiry is to determine whether the logs were smuggled across the porous international border with neighbouring Myanmar, a frequent route for various illicit cross-border trades.
Manipur shares a 398-km-long border with Myanmar, of which only a mere 10 km is currently fenced. This extensive and largely unfenced border has historically presented challenges, often being exploited for the trafficking of drugs, arms, and other contraband. The current investigation aims to unearth any potential links to such cross-border smuggling networks and bring the perpetrators of this large-scale illegal timber trade to justice.
Read More: Assam to Get Ratan Tata Electronics Manufacturing City, Boosting State’s Industrial Dreams