The BSF today said it has seized 86 cattle heads near the international border in special drives launched against illicit cattle smuggling to neighbouring Bangladesh ahead of Eid celebration in that country.
Sixty-nine heads of cattle were seized from a betel nut garden at Muktapur, which is about 8 kms away from the international border in West Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya, while another 17 were seized from Tukya in East Khasi Hills district in the past 24 hours, a BSF spokesperson said.
The cumulative worth of the cattle heads in the international market is more than Rs 14 lakh, he said.
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According to the BSF official, cattle demand in Bangladesh has gone up manifold due to the forthcoming festival of Eid-ul-Zoha and smuggling them from India is one of the many options.
The BSF has also launched special drives against smuggling of cattle from the borders of Meghalaya, he said.
Besides cattle, the BSF troops have also seized nearly 1,000 bottles of IMFL, 1.5 kg ganja, 15 cubic feet wooden logs, 7 tons coal and other contraband items worth over Rs 4 lakh while being smuggled out of the country to Bangladesh during the last three days.
The seized items have been handed over to the concerned authorities for further legal action, the BSF said.
