Digital Desk: Cattle are reportedly being smuggled daily from Assam to foreign countries via Meghalaya. On the day of Bihu, tension flared in Dhupdhara of Goalpara district over cattle smuggling.
A vehicle loaded with bulls, allegedly being transported illegally to Meghalaya, was seized, and the driver was apprehended by locals.
In Bethenapara, near the Meghalaya border under Dhupdhara Police Station, villagers seized a vehicle along with eight bulls during a night vigil.
The driver involved in the smuggling was caught and later handed over to the police along with the vehicle and the cattle.
The registration number of the seized vehicle is AS 01 JC 1773. The incident led to heightened tension in the area.
According to reports, villagers of Bethenapara had gathered at a temple for their routine night patrol when a vehicle entered the village around midnight.
On stopping and inspecting it, they discovered the cattle, which triggered anger among them. Initially suspected to be stolen, the cattle were later confirmed to be transported illegally.
It is worth mentioning that frequent cattle thefts in the village had prompted locals to organize night patrols. This incident has further reinforced their claims of ongoing illegal cattle smuggling in the region.
Villagers have alleged that the administration has remained silent on the issue, while also suspecting the involvement of certain middlemen facilitating the smuggling.
During the seizure, the driver attempted to flee, abandoning the vehicle, but was caught by the villagers. The enraged locals also damaged the vehicle.
Later, Dhupdhara Police reached the spot and took custody of the eight bulls, the vehicle, and the driver, bringing them to the police station.
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