NONGPOH: The cattle smuggling prevention team of the North Khasi Hills unit of FKJGP apprehended four cattle-laden trucks at 18 Mer under Byrnihat police station in Ri Bhoi on Tuesday night. The animals were allegedly meant for smuggling into Bangladesh.
Interestingly, the drivers of four trucks loaded with cattle reportedly showed challan issued by the KHADC charging Rs 10,000 per cow/bull.
One of the middleman involved, when interrogated by the Federation members, confessed that the cattle were supposed to be unloaded at Laitlyngkot as per the challan issued by the KHADC and were supposed to be smuggled into Bangladesh from there.
It may be mentioned that the Khasi Jaintia Butchers Welfare Association has decided to boycott buying of cattle from Khanapara market after the Hima Mylliem and KHADC issued an order to stop health check-up and ear-tagging of cattle by veterinary doctors stating that unknown persons were illegally collecting money from the market.
The trucks having registration numbers AS01 DD2125, AS01 CC4045, AS01 CC6029 and AS01 DC0061 were supposed to deliver the cattle to a buyer named Buini at Laitlyngkot. But when inquired about him, butchers at Laitlyngkot said the person of that name does not own a beef shop in the area.
FKJGP general secretary Dundee Cliff Khongsit while speaking to media persons at 18 Mer slammed the KHADC and Hima Mylliem for their role in opposing the initiative of the Federation and the butchers for ear-tagging and health check-up of cattle. The Federation also wondered as to how the KHADC issued transit pass for transportation of cattle meant for smuggling into Bangladesh.
“The FKJGP will not remain a mere spectator on this issue. We will fight with the Hima Mylliem and KHADC for the benefit of local butches and the consumers of the state,” Khongsit said.
Khongsit further informed that the Federation along with local butchers would seek clarification from KHADC on the issuance of the transit pass as the EM in charge of Market, Hadrian Lyngdoh, had earlier denied levying of any taxes on cattle at Khanapara market.
Meanwhile, KJBWA vice president Generous Warlarpih strongly condemned the Hima Mylliem and KHADC for their alleged role in smuggling of cattle to Bangladesh.
Warlarpih claimed that the transit passes were never issued to the genuine local butchers of the state.
“The detection has proved that the KHADC is the agency that supports and issues transit pass for smuggling of cattle to Bangladesh,” Warlarpih alleged.
