Smuggling of dogs to Mizoram from Tripura on the rise

A Correspondent

Agartala: Selling of dogs has become a major business in some of the small markets in Tripura situated along Mizoram border. Most of these dogs are brought to the markets from different parts of Tripura and their final destination is different localities of Mizoram where dog meat is a delicacy.

The trade is more visible in the border markets like Damcherra, Khedacherra, Jalebasha and Kanmun, especially in the weekly haats. It is basically the street dogs that fall prey to the trade. People catch these dogs and the Mizo buyers sometimes pay as much as Rs 5,000 for a dog.

Tuesday is the day when the weekly haat in two sides of the Longai River, that divides Tripura and Mizoram, takes place. Damcherra is on Tripura side and Kanmoon in on Mizoram side and are connected by a bridge. Large number of dogs arrive in these markets every Tuesday and it is a common site to see people bringing dogs in their cars to sell in the markets.

Some NGO’s, dealing with prevention of cruelty against animals, on several occasions have prevented attempts to catch street dogs but this has not deterred dog smuggling which is in fact on the rise.

Also read: Tripura news