By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 10: The Meghalaya government has expressed concern over the spurt in cattle smuggling along the state’s border with Bangladesh.
“It is a matter of concern and we are working in tandem with the BSF and the police,” Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Minister, Alexander Laloo Hek said on Tuesday.
He admitted that there are reports of cattle smuggling from various parts of the state bordering Bangladesh.
Hek appreciated the efforts of the BSF in nabbing the cattle smugglers involved in the racket.
According to reports, more than 2 million Indian cattle are smuggled to Bangladesh every year. This has been attributed to the porous India-Bangladesh border, of which 443 km falls in Meghalaya.
Over the years, the BSF has upped its game to prevent cattle smuggling and has adopted a slew of measures.
Officials of the force said these measures include effective domination of the borders by carrying out round-the-clock patrolling, laying nakas, establishing observation posts all along the international border, and strengthening existing defences of the border outposts (BOPs).
“Vulnerability mapping of the BOPs to assess the sensitivity of area of responsibility for cross-border crimes is being reviewed regularly and accordingly, sensitive BOPs are being strengthened by deploying additional manpower, special surveillance equipment, and other force multipliers,” an official said.
Deployment of technological solutions, erection of border fencing on the border, installation of floodlights along the border fence to illuminate the area, upgrading of the intelligence network, and coordination with other security agencies are also part of the drill.
The BSF had earlier said cattle smuggling has been declining along the border.