JOWAI: Notwithstanding the ongoing restrictions in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the illegal trading with Bangladesh has seen a leap, with regular smuggling taking place via Jaintia Hills. Even the bogey of pandemic has not been able to put a halt to the illegal trade with the neighbouring country.
Prior to the lockdown, hundreds of trucks would transport cattle from Byrnihat to Bangladesh via Jaintia Hills, Kuliang, Muktapur and event Borsora of East Jaintia Hills. Now, dried betel nuts are being smuggled to Bangladesh.
Earlier, several trucks have also been detected by East Jaintia Hills Police for transporting dried betel nuts.
It was on July 19 that five persons were apprehended by the members of the VDP’s Muktapur village for their involvement in smuggling of at least 50 sacks of betel nuts from India to Bangladesh via Muktapur. One Bolero pick-up (Ml04C5805) along will five persons were also detained in this connection.
This happened as early as at 3:30 am, which also happens to be the most apt juncture for the smugglers to smuggle items across the border.
Later, an FIR was also lodged against all the five persons.
In another incident, the BSF personnel, stationed at Sunapur (Lumpyrdi) check point in East Jaintia Hills, seized a truck loaded with 20 cattle which were being smuggled to Bangladesh via Kuliang village.
According to the sources from BSF, when the personnel tried to intercept the vehicle, the driver accelerated the truck instead.
As steadfast the BSF personnel were, they gave chase to the truck, finally succeeding in seizing the vehicle along with the cattle near at Kuliang village near Umkiang area.