Border Security Force seizes dry peas worth Rs 20 lakh in West Jaintia Hills

SHILLONG: Continuing its efforts to curb smuggling activities in the State, the BSF (Border Security Force) Meghalaya has further intensified its vigil and launched special operation as smuggling attempts have increased especially of dry peas smuggled from Bangladesh.

Based on specific information, BSF troops of Meghalaya Frontier launched a special operation against the smuggling of huge quantities of dry peas from the general area of Border Out Post (BOP) Muktapur of 30 Bn BSF under Police Station Muktapur, West Jaintia Hills district.

Accordingly, at about 2145 hours, the BSF party intercepted 10 Bolero pickup vans loaded with about 20,000 kg of dry peas at the Muktapur- Lakrah Road junction. The approximate market value of the seized dry peas is Rs 20 lakh.

Initially when the Bolero Pick vans loaded with dry peas were intercepted, the operation party was outnumbered by aggressive villagers from the area who confronted the team of BSF personnel. The local police was also called for assistance and the crowd was dispersed. But the vehicles managed to escape the scene.

In the meantime, the party was reinforced from the adjacent BSF camps and they pursued the vehicles heading towards Amlarem and again intercepted them at the Muktapur-Lakrah Road junction. Within a short span of time, again, the villagers gathered there and started pelting stones, empty bottles on the BSF personnel.

Despite the adverse condition, the BSF troops kept patience and to prevent the situation from going out of control they resorted to firing of one round of PAG (Non-lethal weapon) in the air. The episode was very handled by the BSF troops; and despite been aggressively attacked by miscreants they calmly handled the situation.

Smuggling of dry peas from Bangladesh to India is prevalent in the area, as in the past two months BSF Meghalaya apprehended eight smugglers along with 3,33,992 kg of dry peas amounting to approximately Rs 3 crore. The consignments were carried in 34 vehicles, stated a release.

IG, Meghalaya Frontier Hardeep Singh said, "The BSF is making allout efforts by putting in all the resources to curb the smuggling along the India-Bangladesh border. This menace of smuggling requires to be tackled collectively by all government agencies concerned.''

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