By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 21: There is no let-up in cattle smuggling along Meghalaya’s border with Bangladesh despite efforts by security forces to curb the illegal trade.
Meghalaya shares a 443 km stretch of India’s 4,096 km border with Bangladesh. While the Border Security Force (BSF) often intercepts herds meant for illegal transport, the smuggling network remains active.
Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Minister Alexander Laloo Hek said the state government is fully aware of the issue and working in close coordination with the BSF and the police to prevent such activities.
“The police and the BSF are collaborating to thwart these attempts,” Hek said.
Stating that it is money which draws people to cattle smuggling, he said the government is adopting a grassroots approach, strengthening relationships with border communities and seeking their cooperation to tackle the problem at its source.
On the handling of seized cattle, Hek said the BSF keeps them in gaushalas—traditional shelters for abandoned or confiscated cattle—until legal formalities are completed. The cattle are then either transferred to shelters or auctioned off.
Over the years, the BSF has intensified its efforts to combat smuggling through a range of security measures – round-the-clock border patrolling, the setting up of checkpoints, the establishment of observation posts, and the reinforcement of security at border outposts (BOPs).
“Vulnerability mapping of BOPs is conducted regularly to assess high-risk areas for cross-border crimes. Based on these assessments, sensitive BOPs are reinforced with additional personnel, special surveillance equipment and other force multipliers,” a BSF official said.
Despite these measures, cattle smuggling remains a significant challenge, requiring continued vigilance, stronger enforcement, and deeper cooperation between security forces and local communities.
‘Veterinary hospital a priority’
Hek said the setting up of a state-of-the-art veterinary hospital at Upper Shillong is one of the priorities of the MDA government.
He made the statement drawing an inference from the recently-held budget session of the state Assembly. According to him, it was made amply clear by the state government that it would not be an ordinary veterinary hospital but a state-of-the-art veterinary hospital.
Hek further said that the Rs 32 crore project will be constructed soon at Upper Shillong, adding animals will get necessary treatment in this facility.
The project, to be constructed under the PM-DevINE scheme, has been already cleared by the State Level Empowered Committee. There are no land issues as the Veterinary Department has its own land at 7th Mile on the city outskirts.