Mamata calls for increased vigilance to stop cow smuggling

While addressing an administrative review meeting in Barasat, without naming the BJP, Banerjee alleged that some people have been bringing these cows from other states including Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan for vested political interests.

The Chief Minister instructed the Chief Secretary of the state to take up the issue with the Centre so that incidents of transporting cows from other states can be stopped. She also asked the district police to remain vigilant especially in the bordering areas of Bongaon and Basirhat.

"Some people are instrumental in bringing cows to Bengal from Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. They are doing this for some political interest. These cows are smuggled through the Indo-Bangladesh border. This has to stop. The district police have to be more vigilant to check the smuggling of cattle," Banerjee added.

She termed the North 24-Parganas which shares a border with Bangladesh as "sensitive" and asked the district administrations to monitor closely in order to stop infiltration. She also expressed her concern over cross-border smuggling.

"North 24-Parganas is a sensitive district as a large part of it shares its border with Bangladesh. Keep an eye on the bordering areas of Basirhat and Bongaon so that no one can infiltrate and create a problem," she told senior police officers in the district.

The Chief Minister also asked the local cops to maintain better coordination with the sub-divisional officers to effectively handle any untoward situation and ensure better administration. For better police administration, the Chief Minister also announced the formation of two new police districts in Barasat and Basirhat under North 24-Parganas. It would help the cops to maintain the law and order situation in a better manner. There will a police superintendent in each district, she said and also asked the district administration to increase production of agro-based items and examine the scope of exporting them to neighbouring countries like Bangladesh and others.

Banerjee also gave instructions to ease out traffic congestion near the international border in Bongaon. The Chief Minister slammed the Zilla Parishad Sabhadipati and Deganga MLA for an incident in which atta was distributed instead of bleaching powder in Deganga area when dengue broke out a few months ago.

She also admonished a section of administrative officers as the up-gradation of Mangal Pandey Ghat has not seen the light of day yet. Banerjee urged the administration to ease out the procedure of sending files from one department to the other to clear a project.