SHILLONG: The Border Security Force, Meghalaya frontier has in the last one year seized as many as 1312 number of cattle while they were being smuggled out to Bangladesh.
Releasing the data on the occasion of its 51st Raising Day after the celebration of its golden jubilee on Tuesday, the BSF said that during the year, BSF Meghalaya Frontier apprehended 10 over ground workers of various outfits and two militants.
In addition, 68 Bangladeshi and 35 Indian smugglers and 8 Bangladeshi criminals were apprehended at border by the BSF.
Meanwhile, a BSF official said that the number of cattle being smuggled to Bangladesh has increased this year as only 500-600 cattle were seized last year.
The BSF official said that the cattle are brought from Guwahati and smuggled to Bangladesh through Khliehriat and Dawki. The BSF had even set up a camp at Sonapur to check the smuggling of cattle but the decision was opposed by the local people.
It may be mentioned that the BSF Meghalaya Frontier guards 443 km International Border with Bangladesh.
Since the time of taking over, the BSF has also initiated various programmes in the border areas to develop strong bonding between the BSF and the bordering people.