Personnel of Border Security Force (BSF) seized as many as 208 cattle along the international border in Meghalaya on Wednesday and Thursday.
These cattle were meant for smuggling to Bangladesh.
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The seizure was part of its ongoing operations against cattle smugglers.
With increase in cattle smuggling, the BSF has intensified its vigil along international border and carried out a special search operation in Kuliang forest close to the international border.
During the operation, the force seized 164 cattle which were concealed in the jungle for smuggling into Bangladesh.
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These cattle were earlier seized by the BSF and auctioned close to the border and were again recycled for smuggling into Bangladesh.
The BSF troops on the same day seized another 44 cattle during various other operations along the international border.
The total seizure is estimated to be worth Rs 32.7 lakh.
Presently, 1,327 cattle are kept in various BOPs awaiting auction and during the current year, 1,124 cattle have died due to poor basic amenities, according to a statement issued by the BSF authorities.
It also stated the disposal of seized cattle is a headache and the auction process needs to be amended.
“In many instances, the seized cattle are not taken over by the authorities, in spite of accepting the seizure memo and the cattle are kept at the border out posts,” the statement from BSF read.
“The BSF troops are struggling in managing these cattle as there is no infrastructure,” the BSF authorities lamented.
“In those cases where the authorities are taking over the seized cattle, the auction of these cattle is carried out very close to the international border and the same cattle are recycled for smuggling,” the statement further said.