The violence in Manipur is linked to the region’s “drug economy” and proliferation of Christianity, top intelligence sources told CNN-News18 on Tuesday.
Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh on Tuesday condemned the recent drone bombing attacks in the state, labelling them as acts of terrorism. The attacks, allegedly carried out by militants, occurred on Sunday and Monday. “Dropping of bombs on the civilian population and security forces by using drones is an act of terrorism, and I condemn such cowardly acts in the strongest terms,” Singh posted on social media site X.
A big parallel economy of drugs worth Rs 60,000 crore is flourishing in Manipur against the state budget of Rs 35,000 crore, the sources said.
The Golden Triangle of drugs involving Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand has spilt over to Manipur, said the sources.
The situation is rooted in the drug trade and Christianity support, they added.
“The Myanmar drug cartel has spillover in Manipur and because of the hills and forests of Myanmar where we can see huge opium and poppy cultivation,” said a source. “Chinese businessmen are paying huge money to locals in Manipur and Myanmar to turn Manipur into a safe haven which can be further used to send drugs across India.”
Large quantities of methamphetamine, ketamine, and other synthetic drugs continue to be produced and trafficked globally from the Golden Triangle area, they said.
According to sources, on the drug trafficking map, Manipur is close to the tri-junction of opium-production regions of Tiddim, Kachin, and the Shan hills in Myanmar.
“From this area, they send drugs to other parts of India via Manipur. In Manipur, their entry points are Behiang and Moreh,” said an intelligence source. “From these areas, they go to Kohima and Dimapur by train and then are sent to other parts of India.”
Recent use of drones in attacks was alerted by intelligence agencies in June and immediately after that drone batteries were confiscated by Assam police, said sources.
“Use of drone technology is not new because they (militants) are close to Assam Rifles as many cadres are retired from there,” a source said. “Kukis are Christians and they have huge support from the Christian world. To many people’s surprise, a senior Christian lawyer came to the rescue of 3 Kukis arrested for free in court when the lawyer usually charges Rs 10-15 lakh per hearing. Kukis are very influential because of the Naga community which is also Christian and they enjoy unconditional Church support including from international bodies.”
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