Guwahati: Smugglers are shifting focus to jute in Assam's Dhubri district. They use the porous riverine border to move cheap harvests from Bangladesh into India. The illegal trade centers on Takimari and local river ghats like Alir Ghat. Prices are spiking. Traders are sourcing cheaper jute from Kanyabari, Balarhat, Choidhaguri, and Jhaukuti to bypass official channels.
Local advocate Masud Zaman says the illicit trade fills the void left by cracking down on cattle smuggling. He questions the oversight of the Jute Corporation of India. "Cross-border jute trade should not be prohibited if conducted through authorised channels, but traders must comply with applicable import-export regulations, customs requirements and duties," Zaman said.
Observers point to regulatory failures. Both the Agriculture Department and the Regulated Market Committee face accusations of inaction. Officials have not confirmed the scale of these operations or identified the syndicate involved. Concerns persist that these river routes invite broader security risks. Authorities are under pressure to boost surveillance on the border and enforce formal import procedures.
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