Shillong, India (BBN)-Not only cows, even horses are being smuggled from Meghalaya to neighbouring Bangladesh. One such attempt has been foiled by the BSF in South West Khasi Hills district of the state recently.
"The BSF troops deployed at Rajai, South West Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya, seized four horses while these were being smuggled to Bangladesh, reports the TNN.
Smuggling of horses take place near Gumaghat, Kakergora and Dangar," a BSF release said on Friday.
"In addition, BSF troops deployed at Baldamgiri in South West Garo Hills district seized seven more cattle heads while these were also being smuggled to Bangladesh, thus making overall number of cattle seizure to 45 so far this year," a BSF spokesperson said.
Observing that the smuggling of cattle from the hinterland to Bangladesh was a "disturbing trend", the BSF release further informed that the BSF troops deployed at Lyngkhat, East Khasi Hills district, on Friday foiled the forced attempt of smugglers and prevented 34 cattle from being smuggled to Bangladesh.
"The Lyngkhat area is notorious for smuggling of cattle, where such attempts have been obstructed many a times by the BSF deployed there. BSF has been now operating in close coordination with police for foiling such bids of cattle smuggling through the bordering area," the BSF statement said.
An FIR has also been lodged against a suspected lady involved in smuggling of cattle who managed to flee from the spot, the BSF informed.
"After a brief suspension, the smuggling activities have again started. Though mutual understanding between police and BSF has now started yielding seizure. All the seized animals were handed over to the concerned department for further legal action," the BSF said.
BBN/SK/AD