Aizawl: Mizoram’s Lawngtlai district administration has ordered strict enforcement of a ban on the illegal export of vehicles to Myanmar after 10 trucks suspected of being smuggled across the border were seized.The trucks were seized early Tuesday by volunteers of the Young Lai Association (YLA) unit in AOC Veng locality of Lawngtlai town.The issue was discussed at a meeting of senior officials and stakeholders chaired by Deputy Commissioner Donny Lalruatsanga on Thursday. The meeting resolved that the District Magistrate’s September 23 order prohibiting the illegal export of stolen and brand-new Indian-made vehicles to Myanmar would be strictly enforced.The administration also decided that the seized vehicles could be returned to the dealer in Aizawl if an amicable settlement was reached between the district authorities and the dealer.The trucks had reportedly been purchased from Zothan Auto Works for registration in Lawngtlai. They were allegedly intended to be smuggled to Myanmar, particularly to Rakhine state, where the Arakan Army, the largest insurgent group fighting Myanmar’s military junta, is based.The vehicles are currently in the custody of enforcement officials of the Lawngtlai District Transport Office.Lalruatsanga said the administration was taking stringent measures concerning foreigners, refugees and unregulated border trade with Myanmar’s southern Chin state and Rakhine state. He said regulations governing these issues were already in place.The deputy commissioner also expressed concern over reports that some people checking vehicle movements had been involved in extortion. He said an investigation would be launched to identify the alleged offenders and take action against them in accordance with the law.Lalruatsanga said the administration would take firm steps to curb the illegal movement of vehicles and appealed to civil society organisations and the public to cooperate.The meeting was attended by the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Additional Superintendent of Police, enforcement officials of the DTO, and leaders of the Mizoram Journalists Association and the Central Young Lai Association.
