The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has issued a warning along the Bangladesh-India border to prevent the smuggling of sacrificial animal hides into the neighbouring country through illegal routes.
In Jessore, both BGB and police patrols have been intensified in the border areas. Additionally, vehicles on the roads in the border regions are being searched.
On Tuesday morning, Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed Hasan Jamil, commander of the 49th Battalion BGB in Jessore, shared this information.
He said that the alert would remain in place from the afternoon of Eid for the next few days.
Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed Hasan Jamil said: “Increased vigilance has been implemented along the border to prevent the smuggling of sacrificial animal hides. We have also sought the cooperation of local representatives.”
Alongside the BGB, other government administrations are also monitoring the border. However, due to concerns over not receiving fair prices for hides, sellers fear an increase in smuggling this year.
It is known that over the past few years, the risk of smuggling has been rising due to the lack of fair prices for rawhides in the domestic market.
However, to prevent the smuggling of national resources, BGB implements increased vigilance across the border every year.
This year, the headquarters of BGB have issued directives to prevent smuggling. Following these orders, the 49th Battalion BGB has identified special points along the border and implemented various measures from the day of Eid.
Enhanced patrol systems have already been established at all points. Additionally, BGB has sought the cooperation of local representatives to prevent smuggling.
Rawhide trader Moshiar Rahman said that rawhides purchased for Tk700 are being offered for Tk500 during resale, and goat hides are priced at Tk50. He commented that such prices could lead to smuggling.
Another rawhide trader Sirajul Islam said that the government-set prices are not being given under various pretexts, leading to anticipated losses this year.
A businessman from Dhaka who came to Benapole to buy rawhide said: “This year, the supply of sacrificial animal rawhides is low, and the quality is not good. Therefore, we cannot offer higher prices.”
Sumon Bhakta, Officer-in-Charge of Benapole Port police station, said that along with other security agencies, the police are also working to prevent the smuggling of sacrificial animal rawhides. Drivers are being questioned, and vehicles are being searched upon entry towards the border.
