Shillong, Fen 19: The four organisations from Adokgre of North Garo Hills District has file with First Information Report with the Director General of Police (DGP), Meghalaya, Shillong on January 2026 regarding international cattle smuggling syndicate operating via Adokgre towards Bangladesh.
A·chik Holistic Awakening Movement (AHAM), Adokgre Regional Unit, along with the Adokgre Farmer Association, Adokgre Area Headmen Association, and Laskar, Adokgre Village Court on behalf of the residents of the Adokgre area, submit memorandum for immediate intervention.
There is organised international cattle smuggling syndicate to Bangladesh via Adokgre North Garo Hills from Assam. It is respectfully submitted that for a considerable period of time, the residents of the Adokgre area have repeatedly complained to Adokgre AD Camp regarding rampant and organised cattle smuggling activities taking place openly in the locality.
However, despite prior information and repeated representations, no preventive or punitive action was taken against the cattle smugglers, thereby allowing the illegal activities to continue unabated.
Due to the complete inaction and apathy of the concerned police authorities, the residents were left with no alternative but to intervene in order to prevent further illegal transportation and to safeguard public order.
The residents successfully detained the cattle smugglers along with the cattle and the vehicle, and also collected conclusive evidence, including video recordings, clearly depicting the act of cattle smuggling.
The detained smugglers, along with the cattle, vehicle, and evidence, were duly handed over to the police for necessary legal action. It is pertinent to state that every week more than 500 to 600 cattle are transported to Bangladesh via Adokgre.
However, to the utter shock and dismay of the residents alleged the concerned police personnel failed to perform mandatory legal duties and illegally released all the cattle smugglers without, registering any FIR, seizing the cattle or vehicle, arresting or detaining the accused, or following mandatory legal procedures.
That such conduct on the part of the concerned police officer prima facie reflects knowledge, connivance, and tacit support to the cattle smugglers, which is wholly unacceptable and strikes at the very foundation of the rule of law.
It is further submitted that the scale, frequency, and coordination of these smuggling activities clearly indicate the operation of a well-organised-transnational-cattle smuggling syndicate, routing cattle from Assam and Meghalaya towards Bangladesh via Adokgre.
During recent incidents, the persons apprehended were suspected to be Bangladeshi nationals or individuals acting under cross-border influence, thereby posing a serious threat to public safety, internal security, and law and order in the region. The continued failure of the police to act has created widespread fear and insecurity among peaceful residents.
The NGOs submitted that there exists a real and imminent risk of recurrence of incidents similar to the Rajabala episode if timely and decisive intervention is not undertaken. Any further inaction may lead to violent escalation, public unrest, and irreversible breakdown of law and order, for which the consequences would be grave.
It is pertinent to note that Shri Prestone Tynsong, Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Home Polic) has publicly issued a stern warning against police officials involved in the illegal collection of money from truckers and the public, and has urged citizens to report such acts directly to higher authorities, assuring them of strict action.
Despite such categorical directions the NGOs alleged that Adokgre AD Camp has been indulging in illegal “gunda tax” with impunity and without fear of consequences. Has been illegally collecting money from innocent betel nut, broomstick poor farmers by coercion, intimidation, and abuse of official authority farmers and traders are compelled to pay solely out of fear of reprisals.
Broomstick cultivation is a lawful agricultural activity, predominantly undertaken by economically weaker sections of society. There is no illegality whatsoever in its cultivation, transportation, or sale. Farmers are legally entitled to protection of their livelihood and the right to sell their produce at a fair market price without fear, harassment, or unlawful interference.
Instead of safeguarding farmers from extortion by goons and antisocial elements, the very law-enforcement machinery entrusted with public protection has itself become an instrument of oppression.
Betel nut and broomstick is the primary source of livelihood for a large section of farmers in the area, and most families are entirely dependent on this product for their survival. When farmers come to sell their produce, they are entitled to security and assistance from the police; instead, they are subjected to unlawful demands and harassment, which defeats the very purpose of policing in a democratic society.
The police personnel have no legal, moral, or constitutional authority to appropriate the hard-earned produce and earnings of farmers, who toil relentlessly for their survival. Such conduct erodes public trust in law-enforcement institutions and calls for immediate intervention, strict accountability, and enforcement of farmers’ legal and constitutional rights.
The business community in the region both from Assam and Meghalaya is facing severe harassment, as the concerned officer is allegedly collecting “gunda tax” and threatening them with false cases and harassment upon refusal, resulting in economic distress and deterioration of lawful business activities.
It is further alleged that since assuming charge, the said Officer-in-Charge has allegedly, allowed open gambling activities in Adokgre market, collecting illegal money for personal enrichment, and failed to act despite repeated complaints by residents,
Such acts violate Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India, which guarantee equality before law and protection of life and livelihood, to their grave concern, the Police has also misused the premises of Adokgre AD Camp by allegedly converting it into an office for a political mileage.
Such unbecoming conduct violates police neutrality and deeply erode public confidence in democratic institutions.Complete collapse of the rule of law, forcing peaceful residents to protest, which is a direct consequence of administrative failure.
The growing public unrest and protests in the area are a direct consequence of administrative and policing power, for which innocent citizens should not be blamed.
In view of the facts and circumstances stated above, the NGOs urged the office of the DGP to order an immediate and impartial departmental inquiry against the Officer-in-Charge, for gross dereliction of duty, connivance, corruption, and abuse of authority.
Suspend and transfer the concerned officer during the pendency of the inquiry to ensure a fair and unbiased investigation; Direct immediate registration of FIR(s) in connection with the cattle smuggling incident(s) based on available evidence, including video recordings
Order seizure and investigation of all cattle, vehicles, smuggling routes, and persons involved, including cross-border linkages; Register appropriate criminal cases under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988;
Ensure protection to farmers, businessmen, and whistle-blowers from harassment, coercion, or retaliation; and pass any other order(s) deemed fit and proper in the interest of justice, public safety, and the rule of law.
They hope that the esteemed office will take prompt and decisive action to restore public confidence in the police administration. The Memorandum was sign by Mr. Nillipson Sangma President Adokgre Area Headmen Association, Mr. Marchborn R. Marak Adokgre Regional Unit AHAM, Mr. Belsing Sangma President Adokgre Farmers Association, Mr. Earnuse Sangma Adokgre Villagge Court of North Garo Hills District.
The Memorandum was also sent to Shri.Prestone Tynsong, Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Home (Police) for kind information, to the Superintendent of Police, North Garo Hills District, Resubelpara and the Deputy Commissioner, North Garo Hills District, Resubelpara.
