BD-India joint task force needed to stop cattle smuggling

Bangladesh and West Bengal do share a huge portion of the total shared area between Bangladesh-India shared territories. This is the fifth-longest land border in the world and especially Bangladesh and West Bengal share 2217 km between themselves.

The geographical proximity between these two areas has adjoined them together which has strengthened the cattle smuggling issues to the next level. So the establishment of a joint task force has become very essential to tackle down the tensions regarding the cattle smuggling issues.

Thousands of cows are being smuggled into Bangladesh from India through border areas, as the demand of the animals usually see a rise for the sacrificial purpose during the Eid-ul-Azha which is one of the religious festivals of Bangladeshi people.

Cows are the salient components which have been sacrificed in the name of the Almighty. Every year, on the eve of Eid-ul-Azha, we observe a noticeable increase in the cattle smuggling through the Bangladesh and West Bengal border. Indian cattle traders sell cows to Bangladeshi traders at many bordering villages and the cows are being smuggled into the country through managing the border forces of both the countries.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) regularly observes and monitors the cattle smuggling cases and they do catch and detain the smugglers on a consistent basis. Unfortunately, they start all over again their illegal business once they are free.  

The smugglers try to grasp the scope for crossing the cattle wherever the patrols by the border security forces are weaker comparatively. Nilphamari and Kurigram districts and its neighbouring areas are the hotspots for these smugglers and they are very active during the pre Eid-ul-Azha period.

The smugglers are using some cunning methods by blindfolding the cattle and then attaching them up with the banana stems so that they can float on the Ganga and reach at this region from where the smugglers can catch them up.

The law enforcement agency like police is working on capturing the smugglers. The operations are conducted on a regular basis though the cattle smuggling rate is getting higher day by day.

Bangladesh needs some joint operations by creating a regional network with the help of India to establish a strong hold in the cattle smuggling field. Taking collaborative steps from the two sides can surely alleviate the current scenario.

The Border Security Force (BSF) recently seized approximately 150 cow-heads from the Indo-Bangladesh bordering area and the smugglers wanted to grab the advantage of the flood locked situation of these regions.

BSF and BGB should come forward to solve this ongoing crisis for the mutual interests of the two neighboring regions. The DG-level talks should be arranged more so that the cattle smuggling cases and the issue areas can be revised. Strong surveillance by the two sides can surely pose a huge threat to cattle smuggling which really needs some immediate intervention by the respected authorities.

The idea of creating such a joint task force can be beneficial for both sides and it will be easier for Bangladesh and India to deal with this serious issue of cattle smuggling.

• A joint task force can be formed with the help of two border security forces respectively taking members from the BGB and the BSF.
• The force will have a hierarchical structure where there will be two commanders from two sides such as one commander will come from BGB and another will join in this task force from BSF
• The commanders can be equivalent to the rank of Brigadier General for each side and they will be followed by the other junior officers such as Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel, Major to downwards
• The commanders of this taskforce will directly report to their respected ministry regarding the current status of the cattle smuggling
• The commander-level conferences will be arranged in a consistent basis so that the joint task force can operate smoothly by taking collaborative measures
• Two sides will provide as much as resources that they can to create a strong intelligence network so that they can catch the smugglers easily while smuggling across the border
• This task force will conduct joint operations in the remote area while ensuring their own safety and so two sides will be well-informed about the joint operations
• The cultural programs can be hosted which will be arranged by the taskforce and the officers and troops from two sides will join the programs. This will strengthen the bilateral bonding which will help them to work together in the long run
• The sophisticated arms, well equipped surveillance technology will be provided to the members of this joint task force
• The regular press conferences will have to be arranged in a regular basis about the recoveries from the operations by this task force and about the punishment these smugglers are getting so that the smugglers do not dare to commit something heinous like this again

This joint task force consisting of the members of BGB and BSF will surely create some revolutionary changes in the field of cattle smuggling. This will ensure the safety and security of the two sides and this initiative will have a great impact on the cattle business as well.
 
Mugdho is currently studying International Relations at the University of Dhaka