Indian cattle smuggled into Bangladesh

Shillong, Jun 18 (UNI) Indian frontier guards have seized 160 cattle worth Rs 23.11 lakh, being smuggled into Bangladesh through Asom and Meghalaya, BSF officials informed today.

KJBWA leader December Warjri said the smuggling of cattle to the neighbouring country had led to shortage of cows and increased the price of beef from Rs 80 to Rs 100 per kg.

The Khasi Jaintia Butchers' Welfare Association(KJBWA) here claimed that at least 15 - 20 trucks, containing of 15 - 18 cows in each truck, were smuggled through Meghalaya's border with Bangladesh everyday.

''Our men have been tackling this new menace and almost everyday cattle were being smuggled out to Bangladesh through unfenced border,'' Inspector General of BSF-in-charge in Asom and Meghalaya P K Mishra told UNI, adding that the border guards had to open fire to stop the smugglers.

Mr Warjri said Indian cattle traders at Khanapara area, bordering Asom-Meghalaya, who were running the market were in favour of selling cattle to meat traders from Bangladesh as they pay more in comparison to the local meat traders.

''Bangladeshi cattle traders are paying Rs 18,000 - Rs 19,000 for a pair of cows, while the local meat traders are paying Rs 14,000 for a pair of cows,'' he said.

The government authorities here, however, fear that cattle smuggling can not be stopped even after the porous Indo-Bangla border was fenced.

UNI