Shillong, July 10: Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Minister Sanbor Shullai on Friday asked the Border Security Force (BSF) to intensify checking along the international border and called for the immediate formation of special task forces in all districts to curb cattle smuggling.
The Minister also stressed the need to expedite the remaining border fencing work in Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Hills.
Shullai made the statements after a meeting with the BSF Inspector General, senior BSF officers and officials of the Veterinary Department.
“A few days ago, there was news on social media accusing rampant illegal trading of cattle. So, I immediately wrote to the IG, BSF. Subsequently, today we had a meeting with the IG, BSF, his team, and the Veterinary Department. We had a very good discussion,” Shullai said.
He said the meeting discussed strengthening surveillance at vulnerable stretches of the border.
“We have requested the BSF authorities to intensify checking in collaboration with the Police Department and the Border Magistrate,” he said.
“We have also discussed setting up of check points in vulnerable areas where cattle smuggling is going on, jointly with the Police, Veterinary Department and the BSF authorities,” Shullai added.
The Minister said he had directed officials to immediately constitute district-level special task forces to intercept the illegal transportation of cattle and ensure that seized animals are taken to departmental shelters.
“I have also requested the officers to immediately set up a Special Task Force based on the rules in all districts to detect the transportation of seized cattle. These seized cattle should be brought to the departmental animal shelter,” he said.
According to Shullai, the task forces will be constituted in accordance with standard operating procedures and a notification issued by the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department.
“As per SOPs and the notification issued by the Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department, a Special Task Force should be constituted in all districts for transportation of all seized cattle to animal shelters. Members of the Task Force will include the BDO of the concerned C&RD Block as Chairman, along with the Officer-in-Charge of Police and the jurisdictional Veterinary Officer as members. Other members of the Task Force will include the District AH & Veterinary Officer and the Sub-Divisional AH & Veterinary Officer.”
On border infrastructure, Shullai said around 27 km of fencing remained incomplete in Khasi and Jaintia Hills, while over 7 km was pending in Garo Hills.
“Based on the suggestion of the department and the BSF, we are to speed up border fencing. As per records, in the border areas of Khasi and Jaintia Hills, 27 km is left to complete full-fledged border fencing. In Garo Hills areas, about 7 km plus is left,” he said.
The BSF has been asked to provide detailed information on the unfenced stretches and submit suggestions for completing the work within 13 days.
“So, the BSF authorities have been requested to provide us with detailed information on the areas which are left to be fully fenced,” Shullai said.
He said the Veterinary Department had also been asked to submit a corrected draft of the SOPs after incorporating the required amendments.
“Within 13 days of receiving the detailed report and detailed suggestions from the BSF authorities, and after incorporating a few amendments required as per the notification issued by the AH & Veterinary Department, we have asked the Veterinary Department to furnish us with the corrected draft of SOPs. After 13 days, we will hold a joint meeting with the BSF, Police and Veterinary Department,” Shullai said.
