GSU questions BSF role
TURA: The GSU’s Zikzak Unit in South West Garo Hills has alleged that smuggling of cattle from the Garo Hills side to Bangladesh is taking place on a large scale in the district.
According to the union cattle is being smuggled out to Bangladesh through Balughat, Lokaichar and Bakdagre border areas. Apart from the cattle that are bought from market places near the international border with Bangladesh, the GSU alleged that the smugglers are also herding cattle belonging to local residents during the night and taking them across the border.
Recently on April 23, after a number of complaints were made to the GSU by the villagers, the union along with personnel from the Zikzak Police Outpost and Mahendraganj Police Station while on patrol came across smugglers along the Rongkai River attempting to smuggle 40 heads of cattle into Bangladesh.
On seeing the patrolling team the smugglers managed to escape but the 40 heads of cattle were seized. The incident took place at around 7:00 pm near the Lokaichar BSF camp.
Alarmed that the smuggling of cattle is being done at such close proximity to those who are supposed to be guardians of the international border the GSU has questioned the role of the BSF.
“Is the BSF really doing its job of guarding the international border? How can the BSF prevent infiltration of anti socials and dacoits from Bangladesh if such a large herd of cattle can be taken across under their noses? No wonder there is rise in cross border crimes being committed regularly in these areas,” the GSU said.
Meanwhile, the GSU has urged concerned authorities as well as public representatives to seriously look into the matter before the situation gets out of hand.
Cattle smuggling has been on the rise across the State and efforts are being made by various stakeholders to tackle the menace which has taken a different form of late.