AGARTALA, September 2 (TIWN): Taking the advantage of the porous Indo-Bangla border in Tripura, smuggling of contraband goods are on the rise at various segments of the state, including Dharmanagar, Churraebari, Khowai and others.

 Recent clashes of BSF jawans at Indo-Bangla border with cow smugglers are not new incidents. Everyday there is a report of cattle smuggling at the border but the administration is playing the role of a silent spectator.

Although The BSF routinely seizes cattle for Bangladesh and also arrests smugglers at some point but that is not making any noticeable dent on the business. The “traders”, as the smugglers are called in Bangladesh, resort to innovative ways to take away Indian cows across the border where they are in big demand for their beef.

Apart from cattle smuggling, the smugglers are also engaged in smuggling of contraband goods in and across the border.

However, the localities claimed that Smuggling of Phensedyl a cough syrup with an exceedingly high dose of codeine, high dose of painkillers with drugs and other contraband items are increasing day by day in the border area. The police, administration and BSF are directly involved in the smuggling of these contraband items as the smuggler gangs are hand in glove with ruling party and corrupt Government official’s alleged localities.

The localities further said that Consumption of alcohol is banned in Muslim majority Bangladesh and thus the demand of alternative means like cough syrup is on the rise in the neighboring country. Numerous smugglers of both sides of border are engaged in illegal trade of Phensedyl and foreign liquor as it gives them huge income.