SHILLONG, JUL 10: Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Minister Sanbor Shullai has directed the BSF to step up border surveillance, ordered the immediate constitution of Special Task Forces in every district, and called for expediting pending border fencing work to tackle illegal cattle trade.
Shullai announced the decisions following a meeting on Friday with the IG, BSF, his team, and senior officials of the Veterinary Department.
The Minister said the meeting was convened after reports of rampant cattle smuggling surfaced online.
“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 stated.
Among the key takeaways was enhanced monitoring at sensitive border points.
“We have requested the BSF authorities to intensify checking in collaboration with the Police Department and the Border Magistrate,” Shullai said.
He added: “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.”District-level Task Forces
Shullai said he has asked officials to form Special Task Forces across all districts to intercept and impound cattle being transported illegally.
“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.
As per department guidelines, each task force will have a defined structure.
“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,” Shullai explained.
On infrastructure, the Minister stressed the need to fast-track fencing along the international border.
“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.
Shullai said the BSF has been asked to share details of the remaining unfenced stretches.
“So, the BSF authorities have been requested to provide us with detailed information on the areas which are left to be fully fenced,” he said.
The BSF has been given 13 days to submit its recommendations.
“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 added.
By Our Reporter
