Cow smuggling on the wane: Rajth

‘Earlier, 13 lakh cows were being smuggled to Bangladesh annually, the number has now declined to 2-3 lakh’

A Correspondent & Agencies

Lucknow/ New Delhi, Oct 9: Union Home Minister Rajth Singh here on Friday said smuggling of cows for slaughter to neighbouring tions had come down drastically since the rendra Modi-led NDA government came to power.

In his parliamentary constituency on a two-day visit, Singh said it was due to the Union government's efforts that the Border Security Force stepped up vigil on Indo-Bangladesh border, as a result of which cow smuggling to the neighbouring tion had reduced.

Earlier, Singh claimed, 13 lakh cows were being smuggled to Bangladesh annually and the number has now declined to 2-3 lakhs, leading to a big hike in rates of beef in Bangladesh.

Attributing this piece of information to the Bangladesh high commissioner to India Syed Muazzem Ali, the Home minister said the envoy had told him that the rates of cow meat had shot through the roof in his country.

Meanwhile, Singh reiterated that the government is ready to talk to any militant group who shun the path of violence.

"The government will uphold the tion's dignity, security and integrity. At the same time, we are ready to talk to any xalite or militant group that shuns the path of violence," said Singh while addressing a function to honour senior citizens in his constituency.

Singh, however, said that the government will not let-off anyone who indulges in violence.