Several NGOs from the Tikrikilla area of West Garo Hills have demanded action by police to bust a local cattle smuggling racket.
Yesterday morning a suspected cattle thief, Johirul Islam of Fakirganj, Assam, was apprehended by villagers in Barmanpara while he was trying to smuggle cattle into Assam. The cattle were reportedly stolen from Bogadola village on Monday.
Islam and the cattle were handed over to Tikrikilla Police Station officers for further action while an FIR was filed by the owner of the animals against Islam and four unidentified accomplices.
A petition was submitted by the Nokma and Gaonbura Association as well as the A’chik Youth Council, who sought action against the culprits involved in the crimes.
“Cattle theft or cattle smuggling goes on unabated in the Tikrikilla region as the area shares a porous boundary with Assam. There have been innumerable cases of such acts in the area, which indicates the presence of a syndicate or inter-state gang,” Walseng Sangma, the Chairman of the Nokma and Gaonbura Association, said.
The complainants felt that an impartial inquiry was needed to dig out the cattle theft syndicate and all accomplices.
“We want the police to bust this racket as it is a nuisance to the people of both states. We have been assured that the culprit, Islam, has been arrested and police are seeking custody of Islam in the hope of breaking the crime ring,” said Sangma.
