A rise in drug trafficking along the Mizoram-Myanmar border has resulted in greater narcotics proliferation and a high number of HIV infections in the northeastern state, Goa Governor P.S. Sreedharan Pillai has said.
On World Aids Day, the former Governor of Mizoram on Wednesday expressed his concern about the rising HIV cases Aizawl and other parts of the State.
He further said that sexual relations with multiple partners were not the primary cause of HIV/AIDS spread in the state, but rather an indiscriminate drug use.
“I was the Governor of Mizoram, where people are nice at heart and law-abiding citizens, but HIV rates are higher than everywhere else in India, according to my information.” I got the opportunity to conduct my own research on the HIV epidemic, and I discovered that sex relations are not the primary root or cause. The actual culprit in this crisis is the use of narcotics and other substances,” Pillai said in South Goa.
“You see, Mizoram is quite close to Burma’s ancient state. Between Mizoram and Myanmar, there is no charge for travel. Then, when I began my studies, I discovered that (you may travel) without a passport or anything for 16 kilometers on either side, Indian or Myanmar. People are free to go wherever they want. There is a perilous situation there as a result of that procedure,” he added.
“Drug trafficking is on the rise, and this is the real reason for the rise in HIV cases in Aizawl and other parts of Mizoram. I’m therefore suggesting that, rather than treating people or attempting to prevent HIV, the most essential thing is raising HIV awareness among the youth,” Pillai mentioned.
Mizoram has always had a higher rate of HIV cases than the rest of the country, with illegal drug usage being one of the main causes.