Is Assam's Dhubri’s riverine border emerging as a new route for cross-border jute smuggling?

The India-Bangladesh border in Assam’s Dhubri district is facing renewed scrutiny over allegations of organised jute smuggling through riverine routes, with local reports claiming that consignments are being brought from Bangladesh into India through areas near Takimari and subsequently distributed through local river ghats.

The alleged racket has emerged amid a sharp increase in jute prices, with local traders reportedly sourcing cheaper jute from neighbouring Bangladeshi villages and bringing it into Dhubri through unofficial channels. The development has raised concerns over the use of the porous riverine border for illegal cross-border trade.

According to local reports, cargo boats are being used to transport jute through open river channels from areas adjoining the international border. Consignments are allegedly brought into Takimari and then moved to different river ghats, including Alir Ghat in Dhubri, where they are reportedly handed over to local traders.

Bordering Bangladeshi localities such as Kanyabari, Balarhat, Choidhaguri and Jhaukuti are reported to have recorded a substantial jute harvest this year. The availability of jute at comparatively lower prices across the border is alleged to have encouraged the movement of large consignments into Dhubri.

Local advocate Masud Zaman said the alleged smuggling represented a new challenge along the border, where cattle smuggling had previously been a major concern. He claimed that stricter administrative measures had significantly curtailed cattle movement but alleged that illegal jute trade had subsequently emerged through riverine stretches.

Zaman also questioned the effectiveness of the Jute Corporation of India’s presence in the area and called for greater monitoring of the jute trade. He alleged that there were concerns over possible involvement of officials in the illegal trade, though such allegations would require verification by the concerned authorities.

He said cross-border jute trade should not be prohibited if conducted through authorised channels, but traders must comply with applicable import-export regulations, customs requirements and duties.

The allegations have also brought the role of local regulatory agencies under scrutiny. Local observers have alleged that the Agriculture Department and the Regulated Market Committee have failed to adequately address the reported movement of illegally sourced jute. The allegations could not be independently verified.

The reported activity has raised concerns beyond the economic impact of unauthorised trade. Given Dhubri’s location along the India-Bangladesh border and the extensive riverine network, security concerns have also been raised over the possibility of such routes being used for other forms of cross-border illegal activity.

Authorities are yet to publicly confirm the scale of the alleged jute-smuggling operation or announce specific action against the reported syndicate. Greater surveillance of riverine routes and enforcement of formal procedures for cross-border movement of agricultural commodities are likely to remain key issues in addressing the allegations.