Shillong, March 3: More than 100 head of cattle were seized from two different locations near the international border in Meghalaya by the BSF and one person was arrested in this connection.
A BSF official today said last night 88 head of cattle were seized from Balughat in South West Garo Hills while another 19 were seized from Nayabazar, Umsiang and Lyngkhat in East Khasi Hills.
In the Balughat incident, BSF troops, based on a tip off, yesterday laid a trap when Bangladesh smugglers along with their Indian associates were trying to smuggle cattle into Bangladesh.
"The BSF troops cordoned off the suspected area at night. The smugglers, who were taking a huge herd of cattle to Bangladesh through the unfenced area, were challenged by the troops. The jawans lobbed stun grenades, which resulted in the seizure of 88 head of cattle," the official said.
The raid also led to the arrest of a Bangladeshi cattle smuggler, Jasmuddin Sheikh.
However, other smugglers managed to flee.
In the other incident, BSF troops deployed at Nayabazar, Umsiang and Lyngkhat in East Khasi Hills seized 19 head of cattle worth Rs 2.5 lakh while being smuggled to the neighbouring country.
"Cattle haats along the border are becoming a source of cattle for smuggling. The BSF has increased its vigil along the border in view of the increased attempts by smugglers. Recently, there has been a considerable spike in cattle smuggling in Garo hills but the BSF is determined to foil such attempts," the BSF official said.
Sources, he said, indicated that the transportation of cattle was from Assam through Phulbari to Ampati in Meghalaya.