Imphal: In a major crackdown on illegal trade, the Assam Rifles, in coordination with the Manipur Police, seized timber worth Rs. 3.10 crore in Tengnoupal district.
The operation, conducted on May 23, led to the confiscation of 61 vehicles carrying approximately 610 tonnes of timber, suspected to have been transported unlawfully.
In a statement released on Monday via X (formerly Twitter), the Assam Rifles confirmed, “Assam Rifles, along with @manipur_police, on May 23, 2025, seized approximately 610 tonnes of illegally transported timber worth Rs. 3.10 crore. All 61 vehicles involved have been confiscated, and legal proceedings have been initiated under the Motor Vehicles Act, 2019, and the Manipur Forest Rules, 2021.”
The seized vehicles and timber have been handed over to the Tengnoupal Police Station for further investigation. Authorities are now working to trace the origin and intended destination of the timber consignment.
An official involved in the investigation said there is suspicion that the timber may have been smuggled from neighbouring Myanmar.
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Manipur shares a 398-kilometre-long border with Myanmar, but only around 10 kilometres of it is fenced — making the region vulnerable to cross-border smuggling of timber, drugs, arms, and other contraband.
The operation underscores ongoing efforts by security forces to curb illegal trafficking and enforce environmental and cross-border trade regulations in the sensitive border region.
