Fifty-year-old Saji Mian, a resident of Dewanhat in Cooch Behar-I block, is contemplating a change in his vocation of cow herding because of the Centre’s decision to increase jurisdiction of the Border Security Force (BSF) from 15km to 50km within Indian territory from the international border.

For over 30 years, Saji, popularly known as “Hello Dangowal” among cow traders of Cooch Behar, has been making a living by working as a “dangowal” (cowherd in Rajbanshi language).

Rahidul Pramanik, who is in the same occupation, said yesterday’s incident in which three people were killed in alleged firing by BSF jawans has proven that carrying on with the vocation would be easier said than done.

“Prakash Barman, who died yesterday (Friday), was a cowherd. We are shocked to hear that he was gunned down. His death was the most discussed topic in the market (at Dodearhat) today (Saturday). Many of us are panicky, especially because we are hearing that the BSF can act in areas 40-50km away from the border,” he said.

In Cooch Behar, there are around 1,000 such cowherds, who earn their living by taking cows from rural markets to the buyers’ places or from the homes of sellers to rural cattle markets.

“Cow traders and villagers in general buy cows in the markets. We take cows from them and walk by foot for kilometres, guide the herd and eventually, deliver cows one by one at their home. For every cow, we make Rs 200 to Rs 300,” said Saji.

In Cooch Behar, there are over 10 markets for weekly cattle trade.

On Saturday, Saji, along with a number of other cowherds, were spotted in such a market in Dodearhat in Cooch Behar-II block. He spoke to some buyers and eventually walked out of the market, herding three cows.

“Most of the days when we go to bordering villages to bring or deliver cows, we are stopped and questioned by the BSF men. I have heard that the BSF can now challenge us even here, which is not near the border, I feel that eventually, I would have to change my occupation because if the cattle is seized (by the BSF), I will have to compensate the buyer,” said Saji.

The cowherds said even before the Centre’s notification to increase the BSF’s jurisdiction, they were already facing tough times.

Some cow traders nowadays use pick-up vans and trucks to carry cattle and do not require the services of the cowherds. “This has already affected our earnings and now, this new decision (of the BSF’s jurisdiction) is something we guess will only add to our crisis,” said Biswanath Das, another cowherd.