Yunan province of China is the main originating point of the arms and ammunition found in Manipur and the main routes used for transporting it are Thai-Myanmar border through Kachin state and Kalemyo-Tamu in Myanmar and then onwards to Ukhrul district.

Arms and ammunition are also being smuggled into Manipur through various routes, such as via Kasom Khullen, Moreh, New Somtal, Behiang etc. said the agenda note for Indo-Myanmar border management which was placed before the home secretary level talks between India and Myanmar at New Delhi in the month of March this year, a highly placed official source said.

It added that the arms smuggling is usually done by individual smugglers, well-organized groups and cadres of underground groups.

The existence of training camps, hideouts and transit routes in Myanmar as well as the supply of arms from across the border are important security concerns which have been creating adverse law and order conditions in the state. It also threatens the internal security of the state, the Manipur delegation further observed.

The porous and largely unmanned Indo-Myanmar border passing through difficult jungle terrain with poor communication is an important security concern which has created adverse conditions in the state of Manipur.

The problem of insurgency which afflicts the state by creating serious law and order problem and threatening the internal security will be difficult to control unless these security concerns are effectively dealt with, the state put down while discussing agenda points on the impact of cross border activities in Manipur.

Elaborately pointing out cross border arms smuggling at the Indo-Myanmar border, it said that the border is inhabited by tribes of the same ethnic origin.

The facility of free cross border movement for the people in the border areas has been misused by the insurgents or the gunrunners who indulge in illegal smuggling of arms and ammunition from across the borders.

Arms and ammunition found in Manipur generally originate from Thai-Myanmar border, it said based on intelligence reports adding that the same are transported along interior routes upto Kalemyo and Tamu in Myanmar.

Apart from this the arms, ammunition and other equipments are also brought in from Yunan province of China through Kachin state of Myanmar to the border area of Ukhrul district of Manipur.

From here, it says arms are smuggled into Manipur through various routes, such as via Kasom Khullen, Moreh, New Somtal, Behiang etc. Arms smuggling is usually done by individual smugglers, well-organized groups and cadres of underground groups, the source said quoting intelligence report.

The insurgency problem will be difficult to control unless existing training camps, hideouts and transit routes are effectively dealt with.

The unmanned border has been misused by the insurgents or the gunrunners who indulge in illegal smuggling of arms and ammunition from across the borders, Manipur put down during the home secretary level talks between India and Myanmar at New Delhi, an official source disclosed.

Inspector general of police (intelligence) LM Khoute represented Manipur in delegation level talks of the 14th national level meeting at the home secretary level, it added.

In the meeting, the state put other security related issues including coordinated operation against underground elements, cross border drug trafficking apart from arms smuggling and border fencing for discussion, the source disclosed.

Exploring the future difficulties that are likely to be faced if not effectively dealt with, state representatives urged for a coordinated operation between Indian security forces and Myanmar army against the underground elements.

Mention may be made that no coordinated operations so far have been taken up jointly by the Myanmar Army and Indian security forces. Operations against the insurgents are conducted independently and coordination between the two forces is yet to be seen on ground.

In November 2001, in an operation conducted by Myanmar army, a huge cache of weapons was recovered and a number of insurgents including senior UNLF cadre Meghen carrying out prejudicial activities against India were reportedly apprehended by them.

However, the Myanmar government reportedly turned down a request for handing them over to the government of India.