SHILLONG: With the easing of lockdown the State witnessed a sharp increase in cattle smuggling through the porous Bangladesh border which is reflected in the seizures made by alert BSF troops during past few days despite harsh weather condition and crisis of COVID-19 pandemic.
On September 23, the BSF troops deployed at BOP (Border Out Post) Muktapur in West Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya seized 118 cattle worth more than Rs 17 lakhs. These cattle were stocked in hinterland inside dense forest, ready to be smuggled to Bangladesh, staated a release.
UK Nayal, DIG/PRO FTR HQ BSF Meghalaya said, "Cattle smuggling in the State is likely to increase. Accordingly, the BSF has stepped up its special drive against the cattle smugglers and has intensified its operations on the Indo-Bangladesh Border to foil the nefarious designs of trans-border criminals in the areas of Meghalaya."
He also stated that the menace of cattle smuggling cannot be stopped unless the BSF and the Police carry out joint operations. He also stressed the need to carry out frisking of trucks heading towards the border area by Police or other agencies on the national highways.
Also watch: Look at How Cars are Crossing Roads in West Karbi Anglong