Shillong, Nov 25: Apposite to the recent tidings regarding cattle smuggling in the State, the department hereby, accentuates that cattle smuggling which is an organized crime has been a stumbling block for several places in Meghalaya which shares the inter-state boundary with Assam and the international boundary with the neighbouring country Bangladesh.
The syndicates which are involve in cattle theft and smuggling are unceasingly working from both sides of the border to smuggle innumerable cattle from the State, and due to such illegal activities, there have been large numbers of cattle being stolen and concomitantly, cases being registered under relevant provisions of law.
The total number of cases registered from the year 2016 till date is 498, out of which 73 cases have been charge sheeted, 205 cases have ended in final report and 220 cases are still pending investigation. The number of persons who were arrested in connection with the cases registered were 229 and the number of cattle seized were 7640.
The department in order to prevent and detect such illegal activities within the State, had issued a Circular to all the District Superintendent of Police to be more vigilant and to thwart such illegal activities through endeavours such as patrolling, convening of public meetings at the grass root level and to liaise with other sister agencies regarding the illegal activities at the international border.
A meeting was also held with BSF Organization, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department and Dhyan Foundation, at Police Headquarters, Shillong, on the 29th July, 2019, under the chairmanship of Shri. R. Chandranathan, IPS, Director General of Police, Meghalaya deliberating on various issues pertaining to cattle smuggling and to discern ways and means to address the issue.
