Smugglers using Simsang to transport coal to B’desh: BSF

SHILLONG: Despite the NGT ban on coal mining, smugglers from Bangladesh continue to transport the fossil fuel into the neighbouring country in a new innovative way.
The NGT ban on coal mining has resulted in complete halt of the transportation of coal to Bangladesh. But the ban could hardly hamper the modus operandi of these miscreants from across the border who now smuggle coal through the Simsang river in South Garo Hills.
BSF Meghalaya Frontier DIG, Mahendra Singh informed on Monday that the smugglers are using huge bamboo rafts to transport the coal.
“Gunny bags filled with coal are tied up beneath the raft. Usually one person takes the consignments to the other side of the border,” Singh said.
Earlier, head loads of coal were being smuggled through Bagli and Borsora areas. However, the smugglers started using the Simsang river after other routes were blocked.
The BSF DIG informed that few days ago, the BSF made a huge seizure along the river and recovered forest products including coal worth Rs. 7 lakh.
Following the NGT ban, unscrupulous traders have begun to explore new ways to illegally transport coal to Bangladesh, Singh said, adding that the BSF has made two-three seizures along the river and is trying its best to ensure that forest produces from Meghalaya are not smuggled to neighbouring Bangladesh.
“In October, over 50 tons of coal was seized by the BSF,” he informed.
The BSF, meanwhile, is not happy with the “lethargic attitude of the forest department”.
“Once we seize the items, we keep it in our territory but officials from the Forest department do not come forward to verify the produce and carry out other formalities,” he lamented.
The BSF also said that the hostile terrain makes it difficult for the forces to catch hold of these smugglers.
“Whenever we spot them from the river bank, our boys rush using speed boats. By the time they start and move, the locals engaged in the trade manage to escape taking advantage of the terrain across Simsang,” Singh said.
The limitation of the speed boat to move in shallow water also makes the task of the forces difficult, the BSF DIG said.