In a significant crackdown on illegal cattle trafficking, Assam police apprehended two alleged cattle smugglers in Bilasipara, Dhubri district, during a late-night operation on Tuesday. The authorities successfully recovered seven cattle heads and seized the vehicle used for transportation near Bilasipara Public High School.
Details of the Arrest and Recovery
The arrested individuals have been identified as Nazrul Sheikh and Abbas Ali, both residents of Dhubri district. According to police sources, the duo was allegedly transporting the cattle to a nearby sandbar when vigilant officers intercepted their vehicle. The Officer-in-Charge of Bilasipara Police Station confirmed that the suspects attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to shift the seven cattle heads to a nearby char, but alert police personnel spotted the suspicious activity and discovered the livestock inside the vehicle.
Evolving Smuggling Routes and Patterns
Police investigations have revealed a shift in smuggling tactics, with transborder cattle smugglers now avoiding the traditional Sagolia interstate border entry point into Dhubri district. Instead, they are utilizing newer routes, crossing the Srirampur interstate border in Kokrajhar via village roads, reaching Fakiragram, and then driving to nearby chars in the Bilasipara area.
A police source elaborated on the final stage of the smuggling operation: "Once the cattle reach the lar located near the unfenced Indo-Bangladesh international border in Dhubri district, they are pushed into Bangladesh, typically under the cover of night, where Bangladeshi smugglers await their arrival."
Ongoing Crackdown and Statistics
This incident is part of a broader enforcement effort against cattle smuggling in the region. Since the beginning of January 2025, authorities have seized a total of 456 cattle heads and arrested three Bangladeshi nationals in connection with these illegal activities. The continuous vigilance and strategic operations by Assam police aim to disrupt these smuggling networks and curb the illicit cross-border trade.
