TURA: Members of a social organisation in the plains belt region of West Garo Hills, the Anti Corruption and Human Development Organisation (ACHDO) alleged on Thursday that widespread smuggling of cattle from the country across the border into Bangladesh continues unabated despite security checks and vigil.
The accusation comes after the organisation seized upon a large number of hybrid cattle being moved through the Tikrikilla-Phulbari road without any documents.
“Yesterday when some of our members were on the road, they saw some hybrid cattle along the roadside near Phulbari. When we questioned where these cattle came and where they were going, the people stammered before divulging what was happening,” narrated ACHDO general secretary, Wahidur Rehman.
The people revealed to the NGO that they were being paid Rs 5000 to take the cattle from Jaleshwar in Assam to Raipur in West Garo Hills from where others would escort the herd to its final destination.
“Since such hybrid varieties of cattle are not being used by locals for any purpose, we believe the cattle are being smuggled to Bangladesh. It is an open secret that such varieties of cows have been smuggled through our area into the neighbouring country,” he said. The NGO further contended that during weekly market days, thousands of cattle move through Phulbari Bazaar.
The NGO stated that they would not allow such illegal activities continuing in the plain belt region and as such asked authorities to crack down on the acts.
“We are also being vigilant to not allow such acts. Further none of the cattle traders have TNT (Trading for Non – Tribal) license or even a cattle trading one. We urge the authorities to check for documents of cattle being transported through our state or regular marketing days,” they demanded.