mizoram-to-extend-anti-drug-drive-op-jericho-beyond-march

The Mizoram government is considering extending its ongoing anti-drug campaign, ‘Operation Jericho’, beyond the end of March, officials said, as challenges from cross-border narcotics trafficking continue to persist along the state’s frontier with Myanmar.

 

Launched on September 1, 2025, the initiative is a joint effort of the state police, the excise department, and the Young Mizo Association (YMA). Initially scheduled to run for four months until December, the operation was later extended to the end of March in view of persistent drug smuggling along Mizoram’s 510-km-long international border.

 

State Home Minister K Sapdanga inspected security arrangements along the southern frontier on Saturday, visiting Zochachhuah in Lawngtlai district to assess ground realities.

He indicated that the government is ready to continue the operation if circumstances require, stressing the need for strengthened border surveillance and monitoring mechanisms. “Mizoram government requires a dedicated system to meticulously track individuals crossing the border,” he said.

Also read: Meghalaya’s biggest drug bust: Narcotics worth ₹51 cr seized

 

Later, the home minister chaired a review meeting in Siaha with officials and representatives of leading non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to evaluate progress under ‘Operation Jericho’. Sapdanga said collaboration with NGOs and strategic deployment of police personnel at key transit points have significantly disrupted narcotics supply chains, particularly along the eastern border areas.

 

“This is a battle for the survival of our youth. We require the collective strength of the government machinery and civil society. No one is safe from this menace, and we cannot afford to lower our guard,” the minister said.

 

Officials highlighted that the campaign has focused on tackling trafficking routes, curbing smuggling networks, and creating awareness among local communities about the dangers of drug abuse. The extension of the operation, if approved, is expected to maintain pressure on trafficking networks and sustain the gains achieved so far.

 

The drive has been widely acknowledged for bringing together government agencies, civil society organisations, and community groups in a coordinated approach to combat narcotics. Analysts said the state’s proactive strategy may serve as a model for other northeastern states grappling with cross-border drug inflows.