The scene of transporting Indian cows in various trucks from Thakurgaon is visible. Locals claim that these cows entered Bangladesh illegally through the border area. Although the farmers are worried about the entry of Indian cows, the administration does not know.
According to local sources, traders take large quantities of sacrificial animals from Thakurgaon to Dhaka and other big markets of the country for sale. This time too, the cows start going almost a month before the coming of Eid. However, for the past few days, Indian cows have been spotted in trucks. Scenes of Indian cattle being transported by trucks were seen at various places on Pirganj and Baliadangi roads in the district.
After inquiry, it is known that every day after 4 pm to 5 pm, Indian cows are being transported in trucks leaving Thakurgaon for various districts including Dhaka. These Indian Guru Paribahan activities continue till midnight.
A resident of the border area, who did not wish to be named, said that some gangs were bringing cows illegally from India.
Some eyewitnesses said that after bringing the cows through different points of the border in the middle of the night, they are being quickly picked up in trucks and sent to different parts of the country. Ratnai border in Baliadangir, border points adjacent to Amjankhor and Dhantala Union and Ranishankail border Dharmagarh and Jagaddal border are in progress.
Ashraful Islam, a resident of the Baliadangi border area, said, “Cows are entering Bangladesh through the border of this area late at night every day. One day at around 2:30 am, I saw some herds of cows coming in through the border area. Later, they were seen being picked up in small trucks. Many local people know about this.”
Eyewitness Zahid Hasan said, “Indian cows are being sold at Lahiri market. Late at night on the Baliadangi road, cattle trucks are seen passing one after another. The structure and markings of the cows indicate that they are Indians.”
Meanwhile, expressing concern over the issue, the farmers of the district say that if foreign cows enter ahead of Eid al-Adha, the local farmers will face a big loss.
Thakurgaon sadar upazila Kalitala area farmer md. Rafiqul Islam said, “We rear cows with difficulty throughout the year. Now if Indian cows enter the market, the price of domestic cows will fall. Small and medium farmers will suffer the most.”
Nazmul Islam, general secretary of Thakurgaon district branch of Citizens for Good Governance (SUJAN), feels that the sacrificial animal market in Thakurgaon and surrounding areas is quite stable this year. Both the seller and the buyer are satisfied with the price of the animal. In such a situation, the intrusion of Indian cattle may cause instability in the domestic market.
Thakurgaon District Livestock Officer Dr. Izahar Ahmed Khan said that the issue of illegal entry of cows from India through the border of Thakurgaon district is a major concern for the local economy, farming and law and order situation. This smuggling increases especially before Eid al-Adha, which becomes a major obstacle in getting a fair price for locally produced indigenous cattle.
Thakurgaon 50 BGB captain Lt. Col. Attempts were made to contact Tanjir Ahmed several times but his statement could not be obtained.
Thakurgaon Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Rafiqul Haque said, “We are monitoring the matter regularly. I was not aware of the illegal entry of cows through the Indian border. The BGB on duty at the Thakurgaon border had informed that the Guru was not crossing. I have confirmed that this is happening after seeing the video you have. I will soon contact the concerned Upazila Nirbahi officials and inform the BGB to be on alert.”
