Shillong: Cattle smuggling is running wild in the West Garo Hills. Local residents say traders move animals from Assam through Chibinang and Tura to Chirangpara for transport across the Bangladesh border. The operation stays active despite numerous police checkpoints along the route.
Witnesses report brutal conditions for the livestock. Smugglers cram two dozen animals into small pickup trucks. They bind legs and build makeshift wooden platforms to double stack the cargo. One resident explained, "The manner in which the cattle are transported is inhumane. Reports indicate that 20 to 24 animals are crammed into small pickup vehicles with their legs tightly bound."
The trade lacks basic oversight. No veterinary checks occur, and the cattle carry no vaccination records or legal permits. Farmers fear these undocumented animals will trigger disease outbreaks in the region. Reckless drivers speed through populated zones in overloaded trucks. Police outposts watch the traffic pass, yet they do nothing to stop the flow.
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