Three Bangladeshi cattle smugglers beaten to death by angry people in Karimganj
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
SILCHAR: Sneaking in on this side of the border of India by Bangladeshi cattle smugglers is a well known phenomenon despite all the talk of tough border management and patrolling by BSF. Some are caught by people and handed over to police. Some manage to run away with cattle, taking advantage of the darkness of night and holes or gaps between the barbed wire fencing. In the wee hours of the night on Sunday, three Bangladeshi cattle smugglers were beaten to death by angry people of Bubrighat tea estate under Patharkandi block of Karimganj. This is the second such incident in a month. In June last, one Bangladeshi cattle smuggler was similarly done to death in mass assault in Pathnee tea estate. Though the identity of the killed smugglers is yet to be ascertained, police has identified them as being involved in cross-border smuggling.
Police has recovered Bangladesh made high and sharp edged blades, cutting instruments and other materials from their possession. The menace and terror created by Bangladeshi criminals keep the border villagers on their tenterhooks and force them to spend sleepless nights. Such incidents all along the border areas of Karimganj district happen on and off and the involvement of smugglers from that side of the border is established beyond doubt.
In the present incident, a gang of seven Bangladeshi smugglers in a well organized manner attempted to take away cattle from the cow shed of Raju Telengana, a tea worker of Bubrighat tea garden. While smuggling out the cattle, Raju Telengana alerted the large work force of his co workers. They rushed out of their quarters with lathis, chased the gang of seven. Four of them managed to flee away. Three others were caught, beaten and battered to death.
The village defence party of the area brought the matter to the notice of Patharkandi Police Station. Contingent of police men from the police station reached the spot and took possession of the dead bodies and started the mandatory investigation. Prasant Dutta, Deputy Inspector of Police of Karimganj, after taking stock of the situation, went to BOP of Bubrighat and discussed the matter with BSF to take up the issue with their Bangladesh border guards. The criminals from that side of the border dare to commit such crimes with the help of local accomplices allege the harassed tea garden and border area residents. How can Bangladeshi criminals create free zone along the border for their crimes raises the big question about the safety and security of people and the country as a whole?