SHILLONG, Nov 25: Amid the BSF continuing to rake up the issue of smuggling while also alleging involvement of bigger hands, the police, on Wednesday, avowed the same stating that the syndicates involved in cattle smuggling are operating from both sides of the border.
The BSF had recently alleged that the youths from the state as well as landowners, who live along the international border, are being remunerated to facilitate smuggling of cattle. It had also asserted that the kingpins are seated in Kolkata, Delhi and even Shillong.
The statement from the police holds significance as the BSF had recently said that that the profit realised from smuggling is being used to fund select active insurgent groups in Meghalaya. “The total number of cases registered from 2016 till date is 498, out of which, 73 cases have been charge-sheeted and 205 cases have ended in final report while the investigation of 220 cases are still pending. The number of persons who were arrested in connection with the cases registered is 229 and the number of cattle seized was 7,640,” the statement said on Wednesday.
“The syndicates, which are involved in cattle theft and smuggling, are unceasingly working from both sides of the border to smuggle innumerable cattle from the state, and due to such illegal activities, there have been large numbers of cattle being stolen and concomitantly, cases being registered under relevant provisions of law,” it added.
It asserted that the police, in an attempt to thwart smuggling bids, had issued notices to the superintendents of police of all districts to be more alert, conduct timely patrolling, and convene public meetings at grassroots level to liaise with other sister agencies at the international border.
“A meeting was also held with the BSF, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary department and Dhyan Foundation, at Police Headquarters, Shillong, on July 29, 2019, to deliberate over various issues pertaining to cattle smuggling and to discern ways and means to address the issue,” it added.
Cattle seized
Meanwhile, according to a police report, the BSF had recently lodged a complaint that on November 20 around 3 am, the BSF personnel on duty intercepted one truck (AS-01-DD-3647) driven by one Weldingson Kharbihkhiew (36), which was proceeding from Amlarem towards Dawki, West Jaintia Hills, along with five Indian nationals, viz. Ramjan Ali (32), Aynal Hoque (24), Shiningstar Lawai (22), Rebbentikular Bareh (19) and Firstar Lamin (20).
During search, 26 heads of cattle, suspected to be meant for smuggling to Bangladesh, were recovered from the truck.
In another such incident, police intercepted one Maruti Eeco van on November 20 around 7.30 pm at Dabigre village, NH-62, SGH, and seized five cattle.