Capital cattle markets start gaining momentum

Cattle markets in the capital have picked up momentum just ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha. Ignoring the prolonged spells of downpour that have been lashing the city since Saturday, hundreds of customers were yesterday seen bargaining with cattle traders to bring home their prized sacrificial animal on the occasion of the festival.
Different cattle markets were buzzing with customers since morning. Selling has increased in comparison with the last two days, much to the relief of the traders who had been anxious in the absence of customers for the last few days.
Customers alleged that the traders were asking higher prices than the last years for their cattle, while the sellers said that the prices are almost similar this year in spite a gradual rise in beef prices.
Taufique Islam, who came to the capital’s Gabtoli cattle market, said, “I came here on Friday night with 12 bulls and managed to sell only one animal till yesterday. But the situation has changed today. People have begun to pour, asking prices and bargaining with the intention of purchasing. I have already sold two cows today.”
The traders expressed hoped that the selling will surely increase today (Wednesday).
Many customers were seen leaving the cattle markets happily with their purchased animals and many new cattle were seen entering the markets. However, some cattle traders at some cattle markets alleged that they could not reach their desired places for selling cattle as people close to the leaseholders compelled them to sell animals only at their leased markets.
"I was going to Rampura for selling my cattle, but I was forcibly taken to the Ashiyan city cattle market by some young people who might be close to the leaseholders. Last year, I had sold all my five bulls in Rampura. I didn't want to take any risk of taking my animals in a new market this years," said Aminur Rahman, a cattle trader from Kushtia.
Imtiaz Ali, another trader from Jhenaidah, told The Independent around 50 people were forcefully taken to the Ashiyan city cattle market. "A driver was severely beaten on Monday, as he had refused to stop his vehicle carrying animals on the highway at airport area," he said.
Rajib Hasan, sub-inspector of Dakshin Khan Police Station, said, "Such incidents may have taken place on the main road along which cattle-carrying vehicles move to different haats in the capital. But such incidents haven't taken place in this cattle market."
Lutfor Rahman, officer-in-charge (investigation) of Dakshin Khan Police Station, said, “Security in the area is very strict. Cattle traders are continuing their business peacefully. They have come to the place on their own. If anyone says otherwise, they are telling blatant lies."
Meanwhile, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner Mohammad Asaduzzaman Mian, after visiting a cattle market at Aftabnagar yesterday, said that all cattle markets have been put under strict surveillance and that the law and order situation in the capital is under control.
He warned of stern action against violators of law and order. He also said that no allegation of collecting extortion money from cattle traders has been found so far.

Capital cattle markets start gaining momentum

Cattle markets in the capital have picked up momentum just ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha. Ignoring the prolonged spells of downpour that have been lashing the city since Saturday, hundreds of customers were yesterday seen bargaining with cattle traders to bring home their prized sacrificial animal on the occasion of the festival. Different cattle markets were buzzing with customers since morning. Selling has increased in comparison with the last two days, much to the relief of the traders who had been anxious in the absence of customers for the last few days. Customers alleged that the traders were asking higher prices than the last years for their cattle, while the sellers said that the prices are almost similar this year in spite a gradual rise in beef prices. Taufique Islam, who came to the capitals Gabtoli cattle market, said, I came here on Friday night with 12 bulls and managed to sell only one animal till yesterday. But the situation has changed today. People have begun to pour, asking prices and bargaining with the intention of purchasing. I have already sold two cows today. The traders expressed hoped that the selling will surely increase today (Wednesday). Many customers were seen leaving the cattle markets happily with their purchased animals and many new cattle were seen entering the markets. However, some cattle traders at some cattle markets alleged that they could not reach their desired places for selling cattle as people close to the leaseholders compelled them to sell animals only at their leased markets. I was going to Rampura for selling my cattle, but I was forcibly taken to the Ashiyan city cattle market by some young people who might be close to the leaseholders. Last year, I had sold all my five bulls in Rampura. I didnt want to take any risk of taking my animals in a new market this years, said Aminur Rahman, a cattle trader from Kushtia. Imtiaz Ali, another trader from Jhenaidah, told The Independent around 50 people were forcefully taken to the Ashiyan city cattle market. A driver was severely beaten on Monday, as he had refused to stop his vehicle carrying animals on the highway at airport area, he said. Rajib Hasan, sub-inspector of Dakshin Khan Police Station, said, Such incidents may have taken place on the main road along which cattle-carrying vehicles move to different haats in the capital. But such incidents havent taken place in this cattle market. Lutfor Rahman, officer-in-charge (investigation) of Dakshin Khan Police Station, said, Security in the area is very strict. Cattle traders are continuing their business peacefully. They have come to the place on their own. If anyone says otherwise, they are telling blatant lies. Meanwhile, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner Mohammad Asaduzzaman Mian, after visiting a cattle market at Aftabnagar yesterday, said that all cattle markets have been put under strict surveillance and that the law and order situation in the capital is under control. He warned of stern action against violators of law and order. He also said that no allegation of collecting extortion money from cattle traders has been found so far.