Attempts to smuggle cattle along the international border with Bangladesh are continuing, BSF’s Meghalaya frontier said on Wednesday.

Over the past few days, the troops have been able to seize several head of cattle, the latest on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday from one location along the international border.

In this operation, the troops managed to seize 124 head of cattle valued at Rs 33 lakh and a truck, a BSF official said.

He said most of the cattle are transported in trucks through the national highways from the neighbouring states.

On Monday, the troops seized 102 head of cattle from various locations along the border areas.

While BSF was trying to foil attempts of criminals along the 444km boundary with Bangladesh, BSF has also asked the civil administration to carry out auctioning of the seized cattle far away from the border to prevent smugglers re-purchasing them and re-attempting to smuggle them again.

The Meghalaya government had signed a memorandum of understanding with Dhyan Foundation, New Delhi, and a land measuring about five acres at Saitsama village in West Jaiñtia Hills has been temporarily allocated for sheltering seized cattle.

According to the agreement, the foundation will provide necessary care to the animals and the directorate of animal husbandry and veterinary, Meghalaya, will provide medical support.

The foundation had approached the animal husbandry and veterinary department for collaboration in caring and maintenance of cattle seized and handed over by BSF.

The land at Saitsama will also be used for grazing and growing fodder for cattle.

In 2018, 6,294 head of cattle meant for smuggling into Bangladesh were seized by BSF troops, while the corresponding figure in 2017 was 9,931. In 2016, 3,418 head of cattle were seized.