Concerned over illegal smuggling of cattle and buffaloes in the State, the Hynñiewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO) has sought making the trade legal by export to curb the menace.
The suggestion was taken up with Principal Secretary Animal Husbandry and Veterinary GHP Raju today by HITO wherein they urged the central government through the state to consider export of cattle and buffalo from the State.
“This will to a large extent regulate and control the unabated smuggling of cattle and buffalo all along with Assam, Meghalaya West Bengal Mizoram and Tripura,” HITO, Mawryngkneng area president Gary S Myrboh said.
The organisation also complaint about the presence of dalals in smuggling cattle and buffaloes to Bangladesh by misusing the official challans provided by the department, which is applicable only in Meghalaya. They said that these persons charge and collect money from trucks along the highway even after producing valid challans issued by the department.
Myrboh said a complaint was also submitted with the district administration but illegal trade continues unabated.
HITO also offered the department to assist and provide volunteers on a payment basis to check these illegalities.
Pointing out that cattle smuggling is a million-dollar trade, that even the BSF also agreed that it is difficult to eradicate, HITO said, “Many states in the mainland spend thousands of crores of rupees on the feeding and maintenance of the old/stray cows in the gaushalas. Meghalaya could request the states to direct such cows/buffaloes here, which it can utilize and convert these precious resources by generating livelihoods and earn revenue for both the state and center.”
