(a) whether there are reports of theft and smuggling of cattle in the country;

(b) if so, the number of such cases reported during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise; and

(c) the measures taken by the Government to check theft and smuggling of cattle in the country?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a) to (b): No data is centrally maintained, however, as per statistics available, a total of 6,272, 6,703 and 6,913 cases were registered in which cattle were stolen in the country and a total of 3,345, 3,357 and 3,395 cases in which cattle were recovered in the country during 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively. The total number of cases in which cattle were stolen and recovered during 2011-2013 is enclosed at Annexure.

Instances of smuggling of cattle along Indo-Nepal as well as Indo-Bhutan borders are very common since these borders remain open, porous and visa-free and on the Indo- Bangladesh Border cases reported of cattle seized and smugglers arrested during each of last three years and the current year, are as follows:-

  YEAR	No. of cases		No. of cattle 		No. of cattle   				heads seized		smugglers arrested  2011	7201			135291			411  2012	11998			120724			395  2013	14926			122000			421  2014	797			7613			24 (upto 28.01.2014) 

(c): The Government has adopted a multi-pronged approach for effective domination and to check trans-border crimes including cattle smuggling and the steps taken in this regard inter-alia includes:

# Effective domination of the border by carrying out round the clock surveillance of the borders by patrolling nakas (border ambushes) and by deploying observation posts all along the international borders of the country. The riverine segments of international borders of the country are being patrolled and dominated with the help of water crafts/ speed boats/floating Border Out Posts (BOPs) of Border Security Force( BSF) water wings.

# Construction of fence, patrol roads, floodlighting systems and additional Border Out Posts.

# Introduction of force multipliers and Hi-Tech surveillance equipments. Continuous efforts are made to procure the latest surveillance equipments fully equipped with day and night vision devices for further enhancing the border domination.

# Vulnerability mapping of the Border Out Posts (BOPs) which are sensitive with regard to cattle smuggling along Indo-Bangladesh Border have been carried out. These identified BOPs have been strengthened by deploying additional man power, Special Surveillance Equipment, vehicles and other infrastructure support.

# Up-gradation of intelligence network and co-ordination with sister agencies, conduct of special operations along the border.

# Better coordination with the Border Guard Bangladesh and other border agencies.

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