SHILLONG: Even though the Border Security Force (BSF) strikes hard against cattle smuggling in the India-Bangladesh border of Meghalaya, yet they fail to act against Bangladeshis who smuggle stones from the areas which border Pynursla in East Khasi Hills.
This was alleged by KSU South Central East circle, Pynursla president, Innocent Khongstia, who alleged that Bangladeshis numbering over 20-30 used sailed on a boat and smuggle stones from Nongsohphan, Raid Liting which falls under Pynursla Police Station.
“Their (BSF) attention is focused only on cattle smuggling,” he told reporters on Monday after submitting a memorandum to the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner, PS Dkhar.
The smugglers would take the stones from Khashmar River, which is in between Raid Liting and Raid Nongshken.
Interestingly, he said that the smugglers would outnumber the land owners in the areas adjacent to the border which made them apprehensive to fight against Bangladeshis.
Apart from stone smuggling, Khongstia said that the Bangladeshis would also smuggle betel nut, agricultural crops etc., which has caused a dip in the economy of the people living there.
He said that though smuggling stopped in 2007, it however, raised its head again in 2014.
The DC in his assurance to the union said that he would convene a meeting with the BSF and SP to discuss over the matter.
