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Kolkata, July 5 (IANS) The number of deaths due to firing by the Border Security Force (BSF) on those trying to smuggle cattle into Bangladesh have reduced significantly, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram said hereThursday.

"The number of such deaths in the past six months was either nine or ten. We have told the BSF personnel that they should not open fire on those who have crossed the border into Bangladesh," Chidambaram told media persons here.

He said the BSF personnel now open fire only when their life is danger.

The minister said the central government was trying to put a stop to cattle smuggling in the India-Bangladesh border.

"Thousands of heads of cattle are smuggled everyday.... there is huge demandfor beef in Bangladesh," he said, adding people were willing to risk their lives to smuggle cattle into Bangladesh.