Will Adopt Zero Tolerance Towards Smuggling of Cattle, Drugs: Assam Chief Minister

The meeting today was the first of half-yearly meetings the Chief Minister will hold with district police chiefs.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that the state government will adopt a zero tolerance policy towards smuggling of cattle and drugs. Addressing the media in Kaziranga after chairing a conference with police chiefs of all districts, the Chief Minister said police will "strike at the root" of these two rackets. "Assam will adopt zero tolerance against cattle smuggling. Cows will not be allowed to enter legally or illegally into the state and cannot be transported within the state. Most of the cows come from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. We will strike at the root and stop this before it happens," Mr Sarma said. Owing to the porous riverine border with Bangladesh on the western and southern side, Assam has been used as a transit route for cattle smugglers.