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Diamonds worth Rs 1 Cr were seized in two separate operations by the Mizoram Police district special branch at Aizawl on Saturday. Police sources said that two persons were arrested in connection.

Sources from the DSB said that Zohmingathanga 34, a resident of New Siaha in Siaha district and H Lalremruata 21, Kulikawn, Aizawl were arrested at New Secretariat Complex in Aizawl. They were in possession of 14.25 carats diamond which the DSB said worth Rs 1 Cr.

There were four pieces of diamonds each weighing 3.60, 3.65, 4.20 and 2.80 carat.

The DSB sources said the seized diamonds were handed over to the Customs department.

However the Customs department officials in Aizawl said the stones were unpolished and cannot ascertain whether the stones seized were diamonds or not.

“We don’t have jewelry experts in Aizawl, at this point of time we cannot ascertain whether the seized stones are diamonds or not. We cannot assess the worth,” Dothang, assistant public relations officer of Customs department said.

Mizoram bordering Myanmar and Bangladesh has, of late, become a major smuggling route. Gold bars worth crores of rupees were seized during the past two years.

Sangzuala Hmar is Northeast Now Correspondent in Aizawl. He can be reached at: [email protected]