Imphal, April 8 -- The National Highway - 37 linking Imphal, the capital of Manipur to Silchar in Assam via the Jiribam district of Manipur has become a new route for drug smugglers operating along the Manipur-Myanmar borders.

Another method is the engagement of women, particularly from the Muslim community, for the transportation of illegal items on the NH-37.

The new route is being used for smuggling illegal items due to the large-scale restriction of movement of passengers passing through the Kangpokpi district, predominantly inhabited by the Kuki So community, in their efforts as a part of their demands for a separate administration to be carved from Manipur.

The police established that the arrests of two Manipuri Muslim women alon...