AIZAWL: Mizoram Police thwarted an attempt to smuggle a large quantity of gelatin sticks and detonators on the outskirts of Aizawl, resulting in the arrest of one individual and the recovery of explosives along the Mizoram-Myanmar border.
The apprehended individual, identified as H Ramropuia (24), a resident of Sangau town in South Mizoram’s Lawngtlai district, was nabbed by police from the Vawkpuilutar area of Hnahthial district during the early hours of Tuesday morning.
According to senior police officials, a total of 8,000 gelatin sticks and 1,500 detonators were seized from a vehicle bearing registration number MZ 01 AA-3655, owned by one Jehan Lalnunmawia of Sangau sub-town.
The explosive items, concealed within 40 boxes of gelatin sticks and 5 boxes of detonators, were discovered around 4 am on Tuesday.
The driver of the maxi cab, Ramropui, was promptly arrested for transportation of explosives without holding the necessary license, under section 5(a) of the Explosive Substances Act, 1908.
Subsequently, the accused was remanded to police custody for 72 hours as investigations into potential backward and forward linkages continue.
Authorities suspect that the seized explosives were destined for insurgent groups in Myanmar, as previous reports have indicated the transportation of contraband to Bungtlang village in Myanmar’s Chin state.
Further probe into the incident is underway, with officials from Hnahthial Police Station leading the investigation.
A case under the Explosive Substances Act has been registered, and the vehicle along with the seized explosives has been formally confiscated, while the accused driver remains in custody.
In a subsequent development, the alleged owner of the explosives, Straliana of Bungtlang, Myanmar, was also apprehended from Sangau later in the afternoon, marking a significant breakthrough in the ongoing investigation.
