Sylhet traders for strict monitoring to stop smuggling in raw hides

Our Correspondent

SYLHET, Sept 17: Leading traders of raw hides in Syllhet demanded steps to resist any move to smuggle the item from the region after the Eid ul Azha. The law enforcement officials assured of taking additional measures to ensuring the stoppage of smuggling at a view exchange meeting held at the office of commissioner of Sylhet Metropolitan Police (SMP) yesterday.

The traders alleged some organised groups every year collect raw hides through their paid agents on the Eid day and days after and somehow arrange sending those to the bordering areas in Comilla and Brahmanbaria.  It causes much for the genuine traders since we had been engaged in trading round the year with huge investment and bank loans, the speakers said.

They demanded steps against such unscrupulous people who have blessings of some of the leading people of the society. Even some gangs forcibly take away the raw hides when the traders transport those, the meeting was told. Demanding regular patrol on the roads and highways in the region, they also requested for catching such people having no trader's identity cards.

Replying to the requests, the commissioner of SMP Md. Kamrul Ahsan said the law enforcer would remain vigil to prevent any attempt to smuggle the raw hides from Sylhet. He also sought all out cooperation from the traders and other sections of the society to stop smuggling.

Additional Commissioner of SMP SM Rukon Uddin, Deputy Commissioner Rezaul Karim and others addressed the meeting.

Shahjalal Chamra Baybosayee Bahumukhi Samabaya Samity president Sheikh Shamim Ahmed, Vice-president Shahin Ahmed, treasurer Ayub Ali and others took part in the discussion. About 0.2 to 0.25 million sacrificial animals are slaughtered every year in Sylhet, they said.    iqbal1527@hotmail.com