SHILLONG: The Border Security Force (BSF) is struggling with the maintenance of cattle seized from Indo-Bangla border near Dawki.
A group of journalists recently visited Dawki and Bholaganj areas and found that the BSF currently has a couple of hundred cattle in their custody, which were seized this year.
The cattle are exposed and they don’t have a proper shed.
Besides, the BSF also has an acute shortage of cattle feed.
In the absence of veterinary care and lack of food, scores of cattle are dying every day. Besides, the BSF also lack manpower and funds.
Carcasses of cattle were seen lying unattended and in a decomposed state.
There is not enough space for the burial of the animals. The BSF fears that there could be an outbreak of disease if the carcasses are not removed.
Some BSF officials said that earlier the customs department used to auction the seized cattle but under the new provisions it is not authorised to do it from the border outposts.
Lamenting lack of response from the state government despite several requests, the BSF said the situation must be addressed at the earliest.
The BSF said that the situation is going to get out of hand if the state government doesn’t pay attention to this crisis.
It may be mentioned that around1000-1200 sei-zed cattle have died in several areas along the Indo-Bangla border in the state in the past one-and-a- half years and as these are buried in civilian areas, many citizens fear that it may lead to spread of disease.
The Supreme Court, in its order in August, 2017 had directed that the sale of cattle would be made in consonance with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals rules, 2017. Under the PCA Act, the state police officers are empowered to make seizure and hence compliance of the rules for sale can only be done by state police officers.
Earlier, the state government had maintained that as per the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, the government has activated the Meghalaya State Animal Welfare Board which also held a meeting and discussed the matter in detail and the government gave around Rs 40 lakh to the deputy commissioners of both East Khas Hills and West Jaintia Hills district for taking care of the cattle.