BSF, police, Customs spar over cattle smuggling

From

Staff Correspondent SHILLONG, Aug 23: Lack of coordination between the BSF, Meghalaya Police and Customs Department seems to have added to the problem of cattle smuggling across the India-Bangladesh border.  The BSF, Meghalaya Police and Customs Department have over the last few days issued statements to the press, claiming that they have done their job under their “prescribed jurisdictions”.   A solution to the menace of cattle smuggling into Bangladesh from the State has, however, remained a far cry, according to observers. BSF Public Relations Officer Ravi Gandhi claims that 4,808 head of cattle were seized by the border force in 2009. He also says that 3,794 head of cattle have been seized from the Meghalaya section of the international border in 2010 alone. Gandhi’s statement appears to have come in response to the State Police’s  contention that the BSF is answerable to the activities on the international border. East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police AR Mawthoh had recently told The Sentinel that “slaughtering of cattle in Meghalaya is not banned and any cattle trader can ferry cattle to any destination in the State”.    Referring to the recent arrest of nine persons by the police for alleged involvement in extortion from cattle-laden trucks in Pynursla area, another BSF official said, “Why did the police fail to give (the BSF) a tip-off on movement of any cattle laden-trucks towards the border villages?” He questioned the significance of the quarterly agreement between the Army, paramilitary forces, the police, Customs Department and intelligence bureau on sharing of intelligence. Interestingly, the Customs Department said it was doing its job (to check cattle smuggling). Nothing is, however, known about how the Customs Department had “auctioned” thousands of head of cattle that were seized and then handed over to it. Interrogation of the nine arrested persons by the police is expected to reveal more about cattle smuggling, said sources.