Assam: Journo arrest on ‘false allegations’ reveals cross-border ‘Gau-Mata’ smuggling, says Upamanyu Hazarika

The arrest of journalist Rajib Sarma on ‘false allegations’ in Dhubri, Assam has revealed how cross-border ‘Gau-Mata’ smuggling is going on under the rule of the BJP government in the state, the Prabajan Virodhi Mancha convenor Upmanyu Hazarika said.

“The midnight arrest of Dhubri journalist Rajib Sarma on false allegations by the District Forest Officer, in a criminal complaint, which caused him to lose his father who died of shock in a heart attack only shows and demonstrates the depth and strength of the cattle smuggling mafia in Dhubri district bordering Bangladesh. Assam today is in the grip of mafias and syndicates, if the eastern-most part Margherita and adjoining areas are under the complete control of the coal mafia, the western-most part is entirely under the grip of the cow mafia,” he added.

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Hazarika further said that he had, after discussions with the BSF, District Administration and police, suggested the Supreme Court that there should be strict regulation of interstate transportation of cattle, including the amendment to the relevant rules, relocating the cow markets beyond 20 km of the international border with Bangladesh, strengthening river police, etc.

“In the last 5 years, cattle smuggling has increased and there is continuous transportation of cattle from different parts of Assam to Dhubri. A large area of over 26, 000 acres encroached by those of Bangladeshi origin in Sipajhar’s Kurua which is across the river from Guwahati is one of the big hubs of cattle smuggling,” he added.

Besides, he said, “The manner in which Rajib Sarma has been arrested on false charges shows that the District Administration is completely under the control of the cattle mafia and this can only happen with patronage from the ruling party. It is clear that the BJP leaders who show no hesitation in paying obeisance to “Gau-Mata” show no compunction in sacrificing cattle to the smuggling racket. At the end of the day it is money alone that matters.”

Meanwhile, the Guwahati Press Club condemned the arrest of the scribe and demanded Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal’s interference in the investigation so that the journo does not get harassed.

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