'Chinese-made Myanmarese Kenbo bikes posing security threats in NE'

IMPHAL/AIZAWL: Security agencies including the Police departments in Manipur and Mizoram have stepped up their operations against the Chinese-made Kenbo bikes that are brought into the Northeast from Myanmar. Sources informed that most of these bikes are being used for various anti-social activities including smuggling of items like narcotics and also fuel from Myanmar.

Recently, Rifles troopers seized nine such Chinese-made two-wheelers. On examination of the motorcycles; it was found that the bikes with jerricans filled with diesel were strapped on each of them. It shows an attempt at smuggling the fuel into India. The Myanmar origin two-wheelers were plying illegally in Indian territory along the Moreh-T'Minou-New Samtai Road on November 26.

According to a press release from the Assam Rifles, it is said that at around 11 pm on Thursday, troops carrying out area domination observed some motorcycles moving in the area. On being asked to stop, the riders abandoned the two-wheelers and fled across Myanmar.

Since January to March, 28 Chinese bikes were seized in Manipur. Churachandpur Police seized the bikes for not having registration numbers since January, Superintendent of Police (Churachandpur) Amrita Sinha had on Saturday. "These foreign-made bikes are illegally imported from neighbouring Myanmar without paying custom duties. As such, they cannot be registered with the State Motor Vehicle Office," she added.

"We launched the drive to prevent crimes and unwanted accidents involving these bikes as they do not have registration numbers," she said. The seized bikes were handed over to the Customs Preventive Force, Imphal division, for further action, Amrita said, while adding that they would also hunt down these bikes from districts bordering Myanmar soon.

"Needless to say, all the bikes that ply without registration numbers is a threat to the security of the district. It becomes very difficult for the police to track down such vehicles after accidents," The SP said. She added, "We are investigating as to how these bikes area reaching Churachandpur."

Meanwhile, sources informed that people prefer these bikes as they are available for a much lower price than those that are sold in our country. "These are bought for around Rs 24,000 to Rs 50,000. People go for these as they are cheap, have a good mileage and is also powerful enough to tackle the hilly terrain," the sources added

MIZORAM BANNED KENBO BIKES: Recently, the Mizoram government banned the use of such Kenbo bikes as it is often used for cross-border smuggling. The seized items and the motorcycles were handed over to the Customs Preventive Force, Moreh for further legal action.

The Chinese-origin Kenbo bikes are mostly brought to Mizoram from across the border in Myanmar.

On September 7, Lunglei district Deputy Commissioner V. Lalsangliana issued a notice prohibiting the plying of Kenbo (KB125) bikes. A similar order had been earlier issued by the Champhai Deputy Commissioner.

"It was never allowed; but somehow these bikes make their way through the border," said a Home department official, adding, "We are collecting information on the presence of these bikes in different districts of the State."

The notification of the district administration comes after the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) directed the State government to take "appropriate action" against the illegal plying of unregistered Chinese Kenbo bikes in Mizoram, particularly in the absence of a vehicle agreement with the Burmese government.

In a letter written to the Mizoram Chief Secretary on 18 June, Jitendra Kumar Jha, Under Secretary to the Central government, has said the Assam Rifles had intimated the MHA on March 31 about the Chinese unregistered Kenbos plying in Nagaland and Mizoram for smuggling of illegal goods.

The letter also noted that the issue was raised during a meeting held under the chairmanship of Secretary (Border Management) on February 17 regarding the flow of goods and movement of people along the border.

WHAT IS KENBO? The Kenbo KB125 is a motorcycle manufactured by China's Yinxiang Motorcycle Manufacturing Company in the Yunnan Province. While the Kenbos are in high demand in Myanmar, sources said they are illegally sold in the Indian black market for Rs 30,000-40,000. China has ramped up production in Myanmar in recent years eyeing to expand businesses in South Asian markets, including India and Bangladesh. The 125cc model is preferred by commuters to carry heavy loads up the hilly tracts in border villages.

Law enforcement agencies, however, allege that it is used to smuggle goods too. On September 4, security forces seized 72 bottles of Myanmar-made liquor ferried in an unregistered Kenbo bike in Champhai district. According to sources, some of these bikes are locally registered in remote areas by the village council on a payment of Rs 200-250.

Between October 2019 and August 2020, the Assam Rifles had seized heroin worth Rs 5.6 crore, methamphetamine and pseudoephedrine tablets with a combined value of Rs 34.16 crore, some of which were transported on these bikes.

India and Myanmar (Burma) have a Free Movement Regime (FMR) that allows people living along the border to travel 16 km into each other's territory without a visa.

But the 512-km-long India-Myanmar border in Mizoram remains a viable option for smugglers and traffickers, and the unhindered movement has further escalated cross-border smuggling. There are 55 crossing points throughout the border and maximum seizures have been made in Champhai district. (Agencies)

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