SHILLONG, July 16 - The BSF seized nine rafts containing coal and seven rafts containing timber, which were being smuggled to Bangladesh through river Simsang in South Garo Hills on Wednesday night.
The smugglers were heading from the Indian side of the river while trying to sneak out the coal and timber on bamboo rafts, the BSF said. Troops of 132 Battalion of BSF from Baghmara border outpost intercepted the rafts after pursuing the smugglers on speedboats. The smugglers, however, managed to escape under cover of darkness, they added.
The seized goods included more than 3,000 bags of coal, each weighing about 50 kg. Moreover, 152 timber logs and more than 1,100 number of bamboos were also seized. The items seized are worth about Rs 25 Lakh.
The BSF said, the smugglers have been trying to smuggle out coal through the riverine route to Bangladesh after the ban on coal mining and transportation by National Green Tribunal imposed in April last year.