Aizawl: Assam Rifles personnel foiled an attempt to illegally smuggle a medicinal plant, locally known as ‘anchiri’ (Paris polyphylla), near the Mizoram-Myanmar border at Zorinpui on Wednesday, a press statement issued by the paramilitary force said on Thursday.The statement said the Assam Rifles personnel, while intercepting suspected smugglers, recovered 102 bags of ‘anchiri’ estimated to be worth Rs 36 lakh. The smugglers had moved the items through the Sekul river and were attempting to load them onto a truck at the river-road junction.Three Indians were detained and all the seized items, the truck meant for transportation of the medicinal plants to Myanmar and the suspected smugglers were handed over to Bungtlang Police Station. Officials from the Siaha district environment, forests & climate change department were also notified.‘Anchiri’ is a valuable medicinal herb, particularly in traditional Chinese and Nepalese medicine. It is mainly utilised for its rhizome to treat cancer, tumours and infections. It is also used to treat sore throats, traumatic injuries, snakebites, skin allergies and digestive issues. Mizos have been using the plant as traditional medicine for years. It is mainly found in south eastern parts of the state bordering Myanmar. The collection of the plant in the jungles by Indians or Myanmar nationals for smuggling to Myanmar is common.
