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Human Wall Blockade at Indo-Burma b
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ADVANCE INFORMATION ON CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE ILLICIT ENTRY
OF DRUGS
AT THE INDO-BURMA BORDER AT MOREH, MANIPUR
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DATE OF COMMENCEMENT: 2 OCTOBER 1997
LOCATION : MOREH, 112 KILOMETRES FROM IMPHAL,
MANIPUR
NATURE OF CAMPAIGN : HUMAN WALL BLOCKADE BY POLITICAL
AND TRADE UNION ACTIVISTS, HUMAN
RIGHTS ORGANISATIONS, WOMENS
ORGANISATIONS, STUDENTS, NGOS
WORKING AGAINST DRUGS
AND HIV/AIDS AND ALL OTHER
CONCERNED GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS
The Samata Party has taken the initiative in organising
the satyagraha with volunteers from all over the country
erecting a human wall every day. It will not be conducted
under the party's auspices, as we wish to mobilise as many
people as possible to identify themselves in support of
those in the north-east who are fighting the menace of
drugs and AIDS. (Please see the background note). The
satyagraha is being organized by George Fernandes, Member
of Parliament, President of Samata Party and Hind Mazdoor
Kisan Panchayat.
This is not a political fight. This is a humanitarian
struggle. The people of the north-east, in particular, and
in other parts of the country must be saved from the
scourge of drugs and AIDS, and the colossal waste of the
nation's material and human resources this implies. Along
with that the security of the nation must be safeguarded.
So, this is a struggle to save the nation, in every sense
of the term.
It is also a struggle against corruption and for human
rights for the people of Burma since the strength of the
Burmese military lies in its access to drug money which is
then used to suppress the democratic urges of the people.
We invite people from all parts of the country
irrespective of their political or other affiliations to
join us at Moreh during the week beginning October 2.
This will be a major international event in which the
volunteer satyagrahis are prepared to face any consequences
that may arise out of their efforts to prevent vested
interests from carrying on their dangerous activities. The
people and press of Manipur have welcomed unanimously the
proposed satyagraha.
We request all our friends in the press to make it
possible for your correspondents and photographers to be
present at Moreh for the satyagraha so that the world is
aware of the struggle of the people of the north-east
against those who connive with smugglers of drugs which is
destroying the health, well-being and morale of the
people.
Any information about the logistics of reaching Moreh may
be obtained by contacting Mr. Aneel Hegde or Mr. Ramesh
Kumar at Delhi Tel: (011) 301 7172 or 301 6035 or Mr. M.G.
Chaddha at (011) 335 2280 or contact on Fax No:
(91)(11)379 3397.
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Background Note for the Moreh Satyagraha :
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TIME is the world's best known and most influential weekly
newsmagazine. In its issue of December 23, 1996, TIME
carried a two-page report on heroin smuggling from Burma
through India to the Middle East and Europe and the United
States. The estimated value of the smuggled heroin is about
one lakh crore rupees (Rs. 1,00,000,00,00,000).
The TIME report only substantiated what is well known to
those who are engaged in the war against drug trade and
drug addiction. It also substantiated another well-known
fact: the involvement of the Burmese army and Indian
security forces in the opium trade.
Two points need to be emphasised. First, it is eight
months since this story appeared and drew the attention of
the world with an eye-catching headline "Heroin's Deadly
Detour - Smugglers are now sending the drug through India
to the West - with help from crooked police". Yet, so far
there has been no move by the India government to seal the
borders with Burma and prevent the use of Moreh for drug
smuggling. All inquiries made by us indicate that it is
business as usual, with, as confirmed by TIME, "Indian
security forces mixed up in the drug trade". TIME also
quotes a senior police officer telling a western drug
control expert who visited the area that the "corruption
level" (read as "collusion in drug smuggling") in his
force was "about 100%".
Second, the processing of opium into heroin is made near
the India border using Indian- made acetic anhydrides and
other chemicals. Obviously, the head of the Narcotics Wing
in the Ministry of Finance is aware where the chemicals are
manufactured. He also knows who the manufacturers are.
These chemicals are smuggled across the frontier at Moreh
for converting opium into heroin. Why has no action been
taken by the Narcotics Wing to apprehend those involved in
this smuggling? Does any person in government service have
any interest in the manufacture of acetic anhydrides and
other chemicals in India or in Nepal?
Drugs have had a devastating effect on India's youth, in
general, and the youth of Manipur, Nagaland and other
states alongside Burma's frontier, in particular. Mumbai
and Delhi have become major operational centres for the
drug smugglers who have established large underworld
networks of criminals and other anti-socials to market the
drug in India and to reach it to the overseas markets. It
is drug money that the underworld uses to bribe officials,
police and politicians. Drug money poses the gravest risk
to national security.
Burma has also been exporting AIDS along with drugs into
India. Today, Manipur has the largest incidence of AIDS per
1000 of population in India and perhaps in the world. One
in every five young persons in Manipur is a drug
addict.
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| Shar Aung |
|-----------------------------------------------|
| All Burma Students League |
| 3, Krishna Menon Marg |
| New Delhi - 110011 |
| India. |
|-----------------------------------------------|
| Ph : 95-11-3017172/3016035 |
| Fx : 95-11-3793397 |
| Email : shar@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx |
| s_aung@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx |
| makakha@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx |
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