Assam: BSF meets Sribhumi residents over cattle smuggling along Bangladesh border

The Border Security Force (BSF) held a meeting with residents in Assam’s Sribhumi district to address concerns over cattle smuggling along the India-Bangladesh border and seek local cooperation to curb the illegal activity.

 

The meeting was attended by the Commandant of the BSF’s Sribhumi Balia Camp and SSP Leena Doley of the local police administration. The officials discussed repeated incidents of tension linked to cattle smuggling in the Barak Valley and allegations raised by local residents against the BSF.

 

During the meeting, the BSF Commandant said efforts to completely stop cattle smuggling were being hampered by the involvement of some Indian citizens in the illegal trade. According to the official, their participation has made it more difficult for security forces to prevent cattle from being taken across the border.

 

The Commandant also pointed to the deteriorating condition of sections of the border fencing. The barbed-wire fencing, originally designed to remain functional for about eight years, has now been in place for around 15 years, resulting in breaches at several locations.

 

Smugglers have allegedly been using these gaps to move cattle into Bangladesh.

 

The BSF further said the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) had shared a list of eight Indian citizens allegedly involved in cattle smuggling. The development has prompted the BSF to seek greater cooperation from residents living near the border.

 

Officials urged locals to report any information about cattle smuggling to the police or BSF immediately. The force said cooperation from residents would be important in identifying those involved and preventing illegal movement of cattle across the border.